Ronnie O’Sullivan speaks out immediately after hitting highest break in snooker history | Other | Sport
Ronnie O’Sullivan has reacted after hitting the highest break in snooker history by hitting a 153 at the World Open in Yushan. The 50-year-old completed the feat against quarter-final opponent Ryan Day, having initially left the Welshman in a snooker at the start of the opening frame.
It meant Day gifted O’Sullivan a free ball, to which the Rocket needed no invitation to put his foot on the gas. He picked off a 16-red clearance to punish Day in the opening frame, having started the break by potting the green as the 16th red.
Very rarely out of position for much of the break. O’Sullivan wrapped it up by sinking an impressive black, which had found itself lodged along the top cushion. It sparked plenty of excitement in the arena, with the fans showing their appreciation to the seven-time world champion.
Reacting to his achievement in the post-match debrief, O’Sullivan remarked: “Just want to say a big shoutout to everyone congratulating me, messaging me, on the 153. Yeah, it was a pretty cool moment.
“Thank you to everyone out there who has supported me. So keep enjoying the snooker in Yushan, take care.”
It isn’t the first time a player has gone past a 147 break, with Jamie Burnett having held the previous record. But with his latest antics, O’Sullivan has smashed that, with former world No. 3 Neal Foulds among those full of praise for his antics.
Speaking on TNT Sports, he said: “A privilege to be here to watch that. To speak over it. That was an incredible moment for me just to watch O’Sullivan do what he did there. A break of 153, it’s almost like: ‘Did it really happen? Have I dreamt it?’ Incredible stuff.”
Foulds had said during the break: “He’s just playing as fluently as ever. He’s not overthinking any shot. Wow, this is just mindblowing. A very, very special moment.”
O’Sullivan holds the record for the most 147 breaks, with a whopping 17 to his name. Two of those came in the same game earlier this season, having achieved the feat during a Saudi Snooker Masters semi-final against Chris Wakelin.
