Ronnie O’Sullivan hails greatest victory of his snooker career when ‘no-one knew who I was’
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has become a Snooker legend with his countless memorable wins over the years.
But the one victory he remembers most fondly is back when he wasn’t considered an icon and was just 17-years-old.
Some 30 years ago O’Sullivan took on one of the game’s greatest ever players at the peak of his powers and despite being a teenager, he came out on top.
It was the 1993 UK Championships when the youngster made his mark by beating Stephen Hendry in the final of the tournament.
And it was some feat with Hendry considered the best in the game at the time as a two time UK champion and the reigning world champ going into the match.
But having only turned pro one year before the tournament, O’Sullivan faced Hendry head on and without fear.
Speaking to Eurosport he recalled his 10-6 victory as a relatively unknown talent in the game.
He said: “[There was] obviously not as much pressure on me as there probably was on Stephen because he was the best player in the world and no-one knew who I was at that time,
“So, obviously I was kind of coming in under the radar. I played him in a tournament before and felt like I’d maybe missed a few chances and gave him a bit too much respect.
“And I think in the next match, I thought maybe just go in there believing you could beat this legend of the game.”
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The Rocket did exactly that and won his first of SEVEN UK Championships and 21 Triple Crown titles.
Now 47-years-old O’Sulllivan is eyeing his eighth UK Championship in York next weekend.