Ronnie O'Sullivan 'stands with the greatest any sport can offer' after eighth Masters win, says Dave Hendon - Eurosport

People have differing views on Ronnie O'Sullivan when it comes to his abilities as a player, his conduct as a sportsman, and his character as an individual.

Similar to any exceptional character, he draws in admiration and criticism, wonder and covetousness, and all emotions in the middle.

No matter what your feelings towards him are, whether you adore him or abhor him, concur or differ with him, root for him or boo him, one thing is for certain - you simply cannot dismiss him. Ronnie O'Sullivan cannot be denied.

Everyone, whether they're a friend or an enemy, can agree that he is an exceptional snooker player with the mental strength to stay a top-notch champion well into his middle years. Despite numerous challengers trying to take his crown, he still remains the one to overcome.

If he only found pure happiness in winning without any further pursuits, then he would've stopped receiving trophies a while back. However, Ronnie's joy is rooted in striving for faultlessness rather than just the victory itself.

According to his own words: "I am endeavoring to acquire expertise in the game. I have never been able to accomplish it before hence, I will persist in trying."

Nobody has come closer than him. And just like he did at the UK Championship in York last month, he has now become the oldest champion in a major tournament. It's been 30 years since he became the youngest winner of the same tournament when he was just a teenager.

The crowd at Ally Pally was thrilled by O'Sullivan's intense competition in his victory over Ali Carter, proving his determination when it counts.

Sometimes, he appears to lack interest and may seem confused about why he decided to show up. However, when faced with pressure and a chance to win a trophy, his competitive spirit surfaces. He becomes fully focused, entering a concentrated state required to complete the task at hand.

After falling behind 6-3 against Carter, O'Sullivan bounced back. He didn't play with perfect precision, but he fought through it. He pushed Carter to play his best and persisted through his own errors without succumbing to frustration.

If some players think that O'Sullivan is receiving too much attention, then the remedy is uncomplicated: prevent him from emerging victorious in these significant tournaments.

It's undeniable that a lot of opponents are struggling to beat him. He has been defeated before in York and recently. However, his reputation as unbeatable should not be taken lightly. Even players who are considered to be some of the greatest in the world suddenly become shaky and make mistakes when playing against him. It's like how amateur actors become nervous and forget their lines when performing alongside Benedict Cumberbatch.

Although Ding Junhui, Barry Hawkins, and Shaun Murphy are all skilled players, they failed to perform at their highest level when up against the Rocket. However, the Rocket managed to win without needing to use his full potential.

Carter is an exception to this. He should be acknowledged for pushing O'Sullivan to improve his performance. At the start of the final, O'Sullivan was eager to take risks and challenge Carter by playing an aggressive game. However, Carter proved to be capable enough to handle the challenge. He outperformed O'Sullivan in the afternoon session and managed to secure a 5-3 lead.

At nighttime, there was a shift in the game. O'Sullivan opted for a traditional approach and intensified the pressure on Carter through his exceptional safety techniques. This led to the Captain appearing less confident in his abilities.

Carter has skillfully played for 28 years, but he hasn't achieved victory in any of the top three sports titles. It shows that obtaining a renowned title is incredibly challenging. In contrast, O'Sullivan has succeeded in scoring 23 prestigious titles.

Here we are once more, witnessing another significant triumph by a 48 year-old who appears to defy the passage of time. Throughout this season, he has suffered defeat on only three occasions.

Carter is starting to become irritated by his loss to O'Sullivan in the Masters final.

It's possible that some people may need time to get used to him. During interviews, he can sometimes seem unfriendly and unaware of other viewpoints. He made a conscious effort to strongly criticize Alexandra Palace, a location that even his close friend Jimmy White deemed irrational.

It's difficult to separate brilliance. If O'Sullivan displayed the same attitude as his peers, his professional career would be similar to theirs. However, he transcends them all and belongs among the sporting elite.

'Masters: The Ultimate Sports Showcase'

O'Sullivan has emerged victorious, concluding a triumphant week for snooker. The Masters proved to be an excellent platform for the sport, with every session being completely booked and the fans displaying a fervent interest in the game. Although a few individuals became overly enthusiastic towards the end, the majority of the audience maintained a level of admiration towards the events unfolding before them.

The event was promoted excellently by the World Snooker Tour, making it a highly desired ticket. However, ultimately it was the responsibility of the players to provide entertainment, which they successfully did.

Allen achieved the highest possible score of 147 against Selby during their Masters match.

People who were present to see these moments will remember them for a long time. It's not surprising that tickets for the 2025 event are already selling very quickly.

Some events don't have the same extensive history that the tournament since 1975 holds, or the honor of only featuring the world's best players. However, snooker should aim for all its competitions to have the same lively appeal that the Masters tournament has. The past week proved that snooker is still able to compete with the top sporting events in terms of entertainment value.

The tournament is starting today! It's called the Players Series and it kicks off in Leicester. O'Sullivan is set to have a match against Pang Junxu in the first round. The action on the circuit never stops!

After his strenuous efforts in the city, he may feel a bit worn-out, but the fact remains the same as it does at any other occasion: there must be someone who dares to confront him. Somebody must claim victory over him.

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