Ronnie O’Sullivan is commonly coy on whether or not he’s bothered about breaking snooker information or not, however one would definitely imply so much to the Rocket.
The 49-year-old has loads of items of snooker historical past on his CV, with probably the most rating titles, most Triple Crown triumphs and most centuries amongst them.
O’Sullivan is stage on seven World Championship titles with Stephen Hendry when it comes to the fashionable report, and he will probably be attempting to say that one for himself as properly earlier than he hangs up his cue.
There may be the likelihood the Rocket can write his title into the historical past books in one other approach this season, by changing into the oldest winner of a rating occasion.
His former mentor and coach Ray Reardon holds that report, setting it approach again on the 1982 Skilled Gamers Match, which he received aged 50 years and 14 days.
The legendary six-time world champion died aged 91 final 12 months forsaking an immense snooker legacy, which included bettering O’Sullivan’s sport dramatically once they labored collectively 20 years in the past.
O’Sullivan doesn’t flip 50 till December 5 so he can’t break Reardon’s report simply but, but when he will be the one to do it, it will imply so much to him.
‘Yeah, pay attention, I liked Ray, he was like a father determine to me, ,’ O’Sullivan advised Metro. ‘I acquired to know him so properly, so if I used to be to interrupt Ray’s report, it will be good.
‘I’m certain he’d be happy and he’d be wanting down, simply going, “I’m completely happy it was Ronnie that took my report.”
‘So yeah, undoubtedly, it will imply so much.’
Reardon predicted that O’Sullivan would break his report because the oldest rating occasion winner, telling World Snooker Tour in 2023: ‘I can’t see any motive why not. I want him properly as a result of I’m on his facet. It will be fantastic. Good for him.
‘What a beautiful participant and probably the most pure participant you’ll ever see.
‘I used to be amazed once I labored with him. I noticed him play and I’d heard about him and examine him. To face by him for a follow session is unbelievable. It’s magic and I used to name him the magician. He wouldn’t have that, he wished to be The Rocket.’
There may be each likelihood that O’Sullivan may find yourself because the oldest rating occasion winner, however he might not be the participant to beat Reardon’s report as there are others who can get there first.
Mark Williams is within the draw for the Xi’an Grand Prix, beginning Tuesday, and if he wins then the Welshman will change into the oldest winner of a rating title.
John Higgins misplaced in his Xi’an qualifier, however he’s additionally already older than Reardon was when he received his final rating occasion, so the Wizard of Wishaw may additionally beat the Rocket to the report within the coming weeks and months.
When he received the World Open in March this 12 months, Higgins grew to become the oldest participant to win a rating title since Reardon at 49 years outdated, then added one other trophy to his assortment on the Tour Championship the next month, shortly earlier than his fiftieth birthday.
These Class of 92 legends are the almost definitely to interrupt Reardon’s report, however they don’t seem to be the oldest gamers nonetheless on the skilled tour.
Jimmy White (63), Ken Doherty (56) and Mark Davis (53) are all nonetheless competing professionally, though their odds of claiming the report from Reardon are distant.
O’Sullivan’s first likelihood to interrupt the report – if nobody has crushed him to it by then – could be the Scottish Open in December, however he’s not possible to play in that occasion.
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