Snooker superstar Ronnie O'Sullivan has celebrated his 50th birthday, marking a monumental milestone in one of sport's most storied careers. Known universally as 'The Rocket', O'Sullivan is considered by many to be the greatest player to ever pick up a cue.
From Prodigy to Professional Dominance
O'Sullivan's phenomenal talent was evident from a startlingly young age. He first played snooker at just seven years old and claimed his first tournament victory only two years later. By the age of 10, he had compiled his first century break, and he made his first competitive maximum 147 break at 15. He turned professional in 1992 aged 17 and sensationally won his first ranking title, the prestigious UK Championship, later that same year.
A Career Built on Shattering Records
O'Sullivan's career is a tapestry of broken records and unprecedented achievements. He remains both the youngest winner of the UK Championship and the Masters, and the oldest to win all three snooker 'Triple Crown' events. His trophy haul is unmatched, with eight UK Championship titles, eight Masters wins, and 41 ranking titles in total. He also holds the historic distinction of being the first player to make 1,000 century breaks.
His mastery of the maximum break is legendary. He has made a record 17 competitive 147s. The most famous of these came at the Crucible Theatre in 1997 against Mick Price, which he completed in a mesmerising five minutes and eight seconds – the fastest competitive maximum ever recorded.
Controversy, Rivalries and Life Beyond the Baize
The Rocket's journey has not been without its fiery moments. He was fined and banned for assaulting a press officer at the 1996 World Championship. His candid opinions have often made headlines, including criticising venues and opponents. He once walked out of a UK Championship match against Stephen Hendry after just five frames.
His on-table rivalries are fiercely contested. He has had a long-running feud with Ali Carter, whom he labelled a "f****** nightmare" after a 2024 Masters clash. He nicknames Mark Selby 'The Torturer' for his grinding style and once told Hendry to "go back to your sad little life".
Away from the green felt, O'Sullivan finds solace in running, which he credits with replacing past struggles. At his peak, he ran 10K in around 34 minutes. He has also authored crime novels, launched video games, and starred in an award-winning documentary. Despite his success, he once revealed a surprising dream: to be a property developer, inspired by the TV show 'Homes Under the Hammer'.
The Debate on Greatness and Future Plans
While the sporting world largely views him as the undisputed snooker GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), O'Sullivan himself humbly disputes the title. In 2024, he stated, "I don't regard myself as the greatest. I'm one of them, maybe. You've got Hendry, (Steve) Davis, and my hat's in the ring with them."
Retirement has been a recurring theme, first threatened as an 18-year-old in 1994 and again before the 2012 world final. He instead took a year's sabbatical before returning to win his fifth world title in 2013. As he enters his sixth decade, the snooker legend currently has no concrete plans to quit, suggesting the Rocket may yet have more fuel in the tank.
