World Snooker Championship 2022 final LIVE RESULT: O’Sullivan 18-13 Trump – Rocket seals record triumph
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has won a record-equalling SEVENTH World Snooker Championship by beating Judd Trump at the Crucible.
The Rocket, 46 triumphed 18-13 to go level with Stephen Hendry with the most victories of the prestigious tournament in the modern era.
Trump put on a gallant battle, after fighting back from 12-5 overnight here in Sheffield.
Good morning snooker fans
Ronnie O'Sullivan became the 2022 World Snooker Champion and won his seventh crown to draw level with Stephen Hendry.
The final score over Judd Trump was 18-13 and his opponent fought back brilliantly but had too much to do.
O’Sullivan said: “The record has never weighed heavily, I don’t bother about records.
“I have never performed well if I am going for something. I always try to enjoy what I do.
“These 17 days they were on my side. With Judd, we all knew he wasn’t playing his best but as a champion, he gets to the final and still nearly win it.
“I knew I had to be at my best for long periods of time. I knew it would be impossible to play snooker for four sessions.
“This afternoon’s session was probably the hardest in 20 years. I froze. So it is great to win and be involved in a great match with a fantastic player.”
Trump congratulated O’Sullivan and described him as “the best player of all time”.
He said: “I want to say a massive congratulations to Ronnie. It has been a pleasure to share the table with him.
"It is an amazing achievement. The best player of all time. He keeps getting better and better. His determination and dedication, you can see it out there. He barely missed a ball in 31 frames. He was the best player in the tournament.
"I am pleased I made a match out of it. I would not be surprised if he beats the record now and gets to eight. The level was different class in this tournament. There only looked like being one winner”
Lineker congratulates Ronnie
Ronnie O'Sullivan won his seventh world title after beating Judd Trump.
O'Sullivan equalled the record held by fellow snooker great Stephen Hendry.
That led to major praise by football great and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker.
Lineker tweeted: "Congratulations to @ronnieo147 on becoming World champion again and equalling the great @SHendry775
on 7 titles. What a performance. What a player. What a man….. make that, what a GOAT."
More from O'Sullivan
"As far as I'm concerned this fella [Judd Trump] is already an all-time great the way he plays the game.
"I tried to be as relaxed as I could but that it probably the greatest result I've had against somebody like Judd.
"I've never bothered about records - when you get them, it's kinda nice, I've never performed well if going for that, I've just tried to enjoy my game"
The winning shot
Here it is, here's what Ronnie O'Sullivan worked so hard for.
His seventh world title...
.Credit: AFP Ronnie says
“Records have never weighed heavily on me. I don’t bother about them.
“I have never performed well if I am going for something. I have tried to enjoy what I do.
“These 17 days were on my side. With Judd, we could see he wasn’t playing his best but a champion gets to the final and still nearly wins it. He will win more titles.
“Steve Peters has helped me compete and be an all-round professional.
“I had the talent, but if it was off I was looking to the exit door. I wouldn’t dig it out.
“I have learned you cannot be perfect all the time. I have to fight the demons. But I am here competing.”
Trump says
“I want to say a massive congratulations to Ronnie. It has been a pleasure to share the table with him.
"It is an amazing achievement. The best player of all time. He keeps getting better and better. His determination and dedication, you can see it out there. He barely missed a ball in 31 frames. He was the best player in the tournament.
"I am pleased I made a match out of it. I would not be surprised if he beats the record now and gets to eight. The level was different class in this tournament. There only looked like being one winner.”
Back for more?
Ronnie O'Sullivan said in his BBC interview he'd love to come back for another crack at it next year.
Who would bet against him winning No 8?
.Credit: AFP Tears of joy
Ronnie O'Sullivan is in tears, this means so much to him.
He went over and hugged Judd Trump and had a word in his ear that seemed to last an eternity.
IT'S OVER!
Ronnie O'Sullivan is the 2022 World Snooker Champion.
He has won his seventh crown and drawn level with Stephen Hendry.
The final score over Judd Trump was 18-13.
Trump fought back brilliantly this afternoon but had too much to do.
Ronnie is the champion!
O'Sullivan 17-13 Trump
On we go in this final. Trump isn't flinching.
He needed two bites at the cherry but got the job done with a wonderful century to clinch the frame and keep Ronnie O'Sullivan waiting.
Surely Trump couldn't win five more frames without reply. Surely?
O'Sullivan 17-12 Trump
The players are back out to a huge Crucible ovation.
Trump breaks us off in frame 30.
A maximum of six more frames available if needed.
Mid-session
Just what Ronnie O'Sullivan needed after the afternoon session.
He was straight in his flow tonight and managed to rattle off a couple of quick frames to settle the nerves.
The players will be back out in 15 minutes or so for the final instalment.
.Credit: AFP O’Sullivan 17-12 Trump
O'Sullivan is just one away now!
Another clinical visit to the table means he's on the brink of Stephen Hendry's record now.
Four frames done in the blink of an eye and we've reached the mid-session interval.
O’Sullivan 16-12 Trump
Trump keeps himself alive in this final.
He makes Ronnie pay for that simple missed red and gets his side of the scoreboard moving.
That means we will definitely have a mid-session interval now. One more frame before the interval.
O’Sullivan 16-11 Trump
Oooo, Ronnie leaves a red down the rail wobbling in the jaws.
Big chance to move 17-11 up there, but Trump breathes a sigh of relief.
O'Sullivan 16-11 Trump
And take it he has. An 88 break takes O'Sullivan even closer to glory.
What an extraordinary change from the afternoon session when he was on the ropes.
Two more frames is all he needs. Is there any way back for Trump now?
.Credit: AFP O’Sullivan 15-11 Trump
Absolutely stunning long pot from Trump. A straight red he played with deep screw.
But he's MISSED a black off the spot.
Another chance for O'Sullivan.
O'Sullivan 15-11 Trump
What a start for O'Sullivan!
He knocks in am 82 break and moves just three frames away from victory.
It's almost as if the afternoon session didn't happen.
O’Sullivan 14-11 Trump
Big chance for Ronnie to steady the ship here and make the perfect start this evening.
Trump was in first but could only score 12, and O'Sullivan's pulled off an excellent pot to get in among the balls.
O'Sullivan 14-11 Trump
A huge ovation for both players as they make their way down the stairs and into the Crucible arena.
Judd Trump breaks us off in frame 26 of a possible 35.
This is it!
Here we go again
We're moments away from the final session of this year's World Snooker Championship.
The players are going through their final preparations backstage.
Ronnie O'Sullivan needs four more frames to clinch his seventh world title.
Judd Trump needs to win seven to pull off the most amazing of comebacks having trailed 12-5 overnight.
.Credit: PA
Ronnie net worth
Since the beginning of Ronnie O'Sullivan's professional career in 1992, he has won over £8.5million in prize money.
His most successful year came in 2000, where he earned £684,130.
But overall his net worth is believed to be around £32m
O'Sullivan on Gazza
Snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan says his sporting talent does not compare to the genius of Paul Gascoigne.
O’Sullivan said: “I was only with him two months ago. We were at Champneys spa.
“We didn’t share a spa together. It’s quite a big place. It’s 60 acres there.
“It wasn’t just me and Gazza huddling up on the sofa. We did have some chats. Exchanged text messages. He is good.
“I love Gazza. I just wish he could have had a Sir Alex Ferguson or Jurgen Klopp in his corner and maybe had someone around him to guide him.
“It would have been a hard task. He’s just a maverick. He’s a different talent to me. I don’t call myself a genius. He’s a genius.
“George Best was a genius. Alex Higgins was a genius. I don’t put myself in that bracket.
“Gazza is our greatest British footballer of all time. He could have played for Brazil.
“Gazza reminds me of Diego Maradona. He has a big heart and could play in an absolute useless team but still make them win the league.
“Look, I love Lionel Messi. He is my favourite. But when we talk about leaders, Gazza was a leader. He led from the front. You have to admire that”
He's Ron fire
Ronnie O'Sullivan left BBC viewers stunned after using a lighter on the end of his cue during the World Championship final.
O'Sullivan is taking on Judd Trump at the Crucible as he aims to win a record-equalling seventh World Championship.
Leading Trump 14-10, Rocket briefly set the end of his cue on fire
Credit: BBC Top Trump
Judd Trump last won the Snooker World Championships in 2019.
If he can pull it off tonight from trailing a staggering 12-5 overnight, that would er, trump that one.
