Ronnie O'Sullivan's Unforgettable Act of Sportsmanship at the German Masters
Snooker icon Ronnie O'Sullivan once demonstrated an extraordinary level of respect for a fellow competitor during a memorable incident at the German Masters. The 2026 edition of this prestigious tournament is set to conclude at Berlin's iconic Tempodrom venue this Sunday, but it is a moment from 2015 that continues to capture the imagination of snooker enthusiasts worldwide.
The Remarkable Moment That Stopped a Match
During his 2015 quarter-final clash against Shaun Murphy, O'Sullivan made the unprecedented decision to halt his own match. The reason for this unusual interruption was that on the adjacent table, Judd Trump was in the process of compiling a perfect maximum 147 break against Mark Selby. O'Sullivan, recognising the significance of witnessing such a rare achievement, simply had to watch history unfold.
What made this gesture particularly striking was the context. O'Sullivan was himself in the midst of a century break at the time and trailed Murphy 2-1 in their match. Despite being engaged in his own high-quality sequence of play, he deemed Trump's pursuit of perfection worthy of his undivided attention.
The Aftermath of That Memorable Session
Trump's magnificent 147 proved crucial as he fought back against Selby, narrowing the scoreline to 3-2. However, he ultimately fell short, losing the match 5-4. Selby would go on to claim the tournament title that year, triumphing over Murphy in the final with an identical 5-4 scoreline.
Murphy had earlier edged past O'Sullivan with that same 5-4 result in their quarter-final encounter. This particular session clearly featured the elite players of that era, with multiple world champions competing simultaneously.
Contrasting Fortunes in Berlin Since 2015
Since that 2015 defeat to Murphy, O'Sullivan's participation in the German Masters has been limited. He has only appeared in the main draw twice, suffering a first-round exit in 2017 before ending a near-decade absence with his return to Berlin's main stage this past week.
The Rocket has withdrawn from the competition on four occasions during this period, citing medical reasons for his absence from the 2025 tournament. He also declined to compete in Germany on three other occasions between 2019 and 2021, choosing to focus his efforts elsewhere.
His title drought in Germany represents one of the longest O'Sullivan has experienced in ranking tournaments throughout his illustrious career. He has never claimed victory at the Northern Ireland Open or the International Championship, while his sole World Open title dates back to 2004.
Trump's Berlin Redemption
In stark contrast, Judd Trump has transformed his 2015 disappointment in Berlin into remarkable success at the German Masters. The Englishman has claimed the title three times, triumphing in 2021, 2022, and 2024, establishing the tournament as one of his most successful hunting grounds.
Trump, who had yet to fully establish himself as a world-beater back in 2015, has since become the player to beat on the circuit. As world number one, he reached the finals of both the UK Championship and Northern Ireland Open earlier this season, though he is still seeking his first ranking title of the current campaign.
Despite missing both the Snooker Shoot Out and Scottish Open, and suffering a semi-final defeat at the Masters prior to his latest Berlin attempt, Trump has accumulated more prize money than any other player this term, amassing just short of £1.8 million thus far.
O'Sullivan's spontaneous decision to pause his own match nearly a decade ago remains a testament to the mutual respect that exists among snooker's elite. It serves as a powerful reminder that even in the heat of competition, recognising and appreciating exceptional skill transcends individual rivalry.
