“What he said to me just blew me away.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan has paid tribute to Judd Trump following his victory over Trump in the World Snooker Championship final on Monday night.
O’Sullivan won the World Snooker Championship for a seventh time with an 18-13 win.
The 46-year-old, has become the oldest world champion in snooker history and, more notably, equalled Stephen Hendry’s record of seven world titles. The Englishman also won a cheque for £500,000.
Ronnie O’Sullivan wins the 2022 World Snooker Championship.
O’Sullivan went into Monday with a 12-5 lead over Trump after outplaying his opponent in the opening two sessions of the final on Sunday.
Trump, however, mounted a spirited comeback and won Monday’s opening session 6-2 to reduce O’Sullivan’s lead to 14-11.
The world number one, however, won the opening frame of the final session with a break of 82. He followed that with a break of 88 to go within two frames of winning the title.
Yet, Trump delayed O’Sullivan’s coronation by winning the next frame with a nerveless break of 64 to make it 16-12.
The 2019 world champion had a couple of chances to reduce the deficit in frame 29, but couldn’t take them and O’Sullivan won the final frame before the mid-session interval with a break of 75.
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Ronnie O'Sullivan has equalled Stephen Hendry's record with a 𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗛 World Championship title!#ilovesnooker | @WeAreWST pic.twitter.com/bwsnniNZkS
— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 2, 2022
Trump then won the first frame back after the interval with a wonderful century break of 109. O’Sullivan, however, won the final frame with a break of 85 to take home the trophy for the seventh time.
After the final frame, there were emotional scenes as the two finalists were in a lengthy embrace.
"We'll probably go again next year!"
Exactly what the Crucible crowd wants to hear from Ronnie O'Sullivan!#ilovesnooker | @WeAreWST | @ronnieo147 pic.twitter.com/EgpXx3Hrqg
— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 2, 2022
O’Sullivan on Judd Trump.
On Eurosport following his victory, O’Sullivan became emotional when speaking about Trump.
The seven-time world champion didn’t reveal exactly what his opponent said to him following the game, but he said he was ‘blown away’ by Trump’s words.
“I was so emotional because of the drain and the effort and to finally just get over the line, I just never thought it would happen,” O’Sullivan said.
“I just gave him a big hug, and I was just sobbing in his arms. And he just said some such lovely words. What he said to me just blew me away. It just blew me away.
“I love Judd, he’s a great lad, and I didn’t realise what he thought of me until then, different respect there. I didn’t realise how he sees me… That’s my best result ever.”
"What he said blew me away." ❤️
A tearful Ronnie O'Sullivan explains why his hug with Judd Trump was such an emotional moment.#ilovesnooker | @WeAreWST | @ronnieo147 | @judd147t pic.twitter.com/Dml2Kdu7MA
— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 2, 2022
Before O’Sullivan was presented with the trophy, Trump paid tribute to the seven-time champion.
“I want to say massive congratulations to Ronnie,’ the former world champion said.
“Its’ been a pleasure to share a table with him. It’s an amazing achievement and he’s the best player of all time.
“He keeps getting better and better. His determination and dedication are clear to see. He’s been the best player this tournament by quite a distance. I was just glad to make a match out of it.”
Ronnie O'Sullivan has won the World Snooker Championship for the seventh time, equalling Stephen Hendry's record 🏆
O'Sullivan beat Judd Trump 18-13 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. A genius, the best snooker player ever 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hWNwTJql02
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) May 2, 2022
O’Sullivan wins the World Championship for a record-equalling seventh time.
O’Sullivan is now a seven-time world champion, equalling Hendry’s record, which the Scot has held since winning the last of his world titles in 1999.
O’Sullivan won the World Snooker Championship in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022.
On commentary for BBC, Hendry said that the current world number one has ‘taken the game to new levels, he really has. He’s got it all’, and it is an ‘honour’ to share the record with him.
