Ronnie O'Sullivan

{{main|Professional snooker career of Ronnie O'Sullivan}}

File:Ronnie O’Sullivan at German Masters Snooker Final (DerHexer) 2012-02-05 65.jpg trophy]]

O'Sullivan began playing snooker at age 7 and soon became a noted amateur competitor, winning his first club tournament at age 9, making his first competitive century break at age 10,{{cite news|title=Ronnie: The centurion|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/special_events/snooker/newsid_2952000/2952099.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 September 2017}} and winning the British Under-16 Championship at age 13.{{cite news |title=Digest – Snooker |newspaper=The Sunday Times |date=21 May 1989 |last=Lightbown |first=Chris}} At the 1991 English Amateur Championship, aged {{age in years and days|1975-12-05|1991-03-13|sep=and}}, he made his first competitive maximum break, then the youngest player ever to do so in a recognised tournament.{{cite news|title=Ronnie the record breaker|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/special_events/snooker/newsid_2952000/2952125.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=19 September 2017}} In the same year, he won the IBSF World Under-21 Snooker Championship and Junior Pot Black.{{cite web|title=Past Champions|url=http://www.ibsf.info/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=71&Itemid=367|publisher=IBSF|access-date=19 September 2017}}{{cite web|title=Pot Black|url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Pot_Black|publisher=UKGameShows|access-date=2 December 2020}}

After turning professional in 1992, aged 16, he won 74 of his first 76 qualifying matches,{{cite web|title=History of Snooker|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/wpbsa/history-of-snooker/|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|access-date=9 September 2017}} including a record 38 consecutive professional victories. He qualified for the televised stages of the 1993 World Championship, losing 10–7 to Alan McManus on his Crucible debut. He claimed his first ranking title later that year, beating Hendry 10–6 in the final of the 1993 UK Championship seven days before his 18th birthday to become the youngest-ever winner of a ranking event, a record he still holds.{{cite web|last=Hammer|first=Chris|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan's sixth World Championship breaks the ranking title record and brings up his 20th Triple Crown triumph|url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/osullivan-breaking-more-records/183261|work=Sporting Life|date=17 August 2020|access-date=2 December 2020}} In the following season, he won the 1995 Masters aged {{age in years and days|1975-12-05|1995-02-12|sep=and}} to become the youngest Masters champion.{{cite web|last=Kane|first=Desmond|title=UK Championship snooker 2020: Ronnie O'Sullivan set to make Masters return, but reveals concerns|url=https://www.tntsports.co.uk/snooker/uk-championship/2020-2021/uk-championship-snooker-2020-ronnie-o-sullivan-set-to-make-masters-return-but-reveals-concerns_sto8010011/story.shtml|publisher=Eurosport|date=28 November 2020|access-date=2 December 2020}}

Between 1996 and 1999, O'Sullivan reached three World semi-finals in four years. At the 1997 World Championship, he achieved his first maximum break in professional competition. Compiled in a time of 5 minutes and 8 seconds, it remains the fastest competitive maximum break in snooker history, which is listed as a Guinness World Record.{{cite web|title=Fastest 147 break in snooker|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/fastest-147-break-in-snooker|access-date=20 December 2021|website=Guinness World Records|language=en-gb}} He won his second UK title later that year at the 1997 UK Championship. Despite these successes, his career also became marred by controversy in the late 1990s. During the 1996 World Championship, he assaulted an assistant press officer, for which he received a suspended two-year ban and a £20,000 fine.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ronnie-osullivan-i-still-let-my-demons-get-the-better-of-me-1859989.html |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan: 'I still let my demons get the better of me' |date=7 January 2010 |first=Adam |last=Hulme |work=The Independent |access-date=4 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904153337/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ronnie-osullivan-i-still-let-my-demons-get-the-better-of-me-1859989.html |archive-date=4 September 2019 |url-status=live }} After winning the 1998 Irish Masters, he was stripped of his title and prize money when a post-match drug test found evidence of cannabis in his system.{{cite news|title=O'Sullivan stripped of Irish title|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/o-sullivan-stripped-of-irish-title-1.170751|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=7 July 1998|access-date=22 September 2017}} O'Sullivan subsequently acknowledged frequent abuse of drugs and alcohol in the early years of his career, which resulted in spells in the Priory Hospital for rehabilitation.{{Cite news|title=O'Sullivan 'pushed luck' with drugs|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/24418502|date=6 October 2013|access-date=8 March 2021}}

He reached his first World final in 2001, where he defeated John Higgins 18–14 to claim his first World title and reached number two in the world rankings.{{cite news|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/1766109.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=21 January 2002|access-date=27 September 2017}} He won his third UK Championship later that year, which helped him attain the world number one ranking for the first time in the 2002–03 season. With veteran six-time World Champion Ray Reardon acting as his coach and mentor, he won his second World title in 2004, defeating Graeme Dott 18–8 in the final,{{cite news|title=World title is for dad, says O'Sullivan|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/arid-30145846.html|work=Irish Examiner|date=3 May 2004|access-date=2 December 2020}} after which he held the number one ranking for the next two seasons. He added his second Masters title in 2005, ten years after his first.{{cite news |title=Awesome O'Sullivan wins Masters |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4282449.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=20 February 2005 |access-date=14 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060211205910/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/4282449.stm |archive-date=11 February 2006 |url-status=live}} His behaviour became notably erratic in the mid-2000s as he battled clinical depression. During the 2005 World Championship, he shaved his head mid-tournament and exhibited what The Independent called a "public emotional disintegration" while losing 11 of the last 14 frames in his quarter-final defeat against Peter Ebdon.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/snooker-ronnie-osullivan-tortured-genius-526560.html|title=Snooker: Ronnie O'Sullivan: Tortured genius|date=29 April 2005|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=16 March 2020}} At the 2005 UK Championship, he sat with a wet towel draped over his head during his match against Mark King.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/comment/register/article/emotional-osullivan-throws-in-the-towel-d08bcmcv7kd|title=Emotional O'Sullivan throws in the towel|last=Yates|first=Phil|date=12 December 2005|work=The Times|access-date=19 February 2019|url-access=subscription}} Trailing Hendry 4–1 in their best-of-17-frames quarter-final at the 2006 UK Championship, he abruptly conceded the match during the sixth frame and left the arena. Hendry was awarded the match 9–1 and O'Sullivan was fined £20,800 over the incident.

In 2007, O'Sullivan won his third Masters title and his fourth UK Championship, which was his first ranking title in almost three years. He won his third World title in 2008, defeating Ali Carter 18–8 in the final,{{Cite news|last=Aikman|first=Richard|date=5 May 2008|title=O'Sullivan secures third Crucible victory|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/may/05/ronnieosullivan|access-date=2 December 2020}} after which he held the world number one ranking for the next two seasons. He added his fourth Masters title in 2009. After two poor seasons that saw him fall out of the top ten in the world rankings for the first time, he began working with psychiatrist Steve Peters in 2011.{{cite web|title=O'Sullivan: Psychiatrist can help Suarez|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/205087.html|publisher=ESPN|date=1 May 2013|access-date=2 December 2020}} A resurgent O'Sullivan captured his fourth World title in 2012, defeating Carter 18–11 in the final, after which he paid tribute to Peters' work with him.{{cite web|title=O'Sullivan takes another world title in Sheffield|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2012/0507/319946-osullivan-on-course-for-fourth-crown/|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=7 May 2012|access-date=2 December 2020}} In the following season, he took an extended break from the professional tour. Despite having played only one competitive match all season, he returned to the Crucible for the 2013 World Championship and successfully defended his World title, defeating Barry Hawkins 18–12 in the final.{{cite web|last=Dirs|first=Ben|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Barry Hawkins to win fifth World title|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/22421611|work=BBC Sport|date=6 May 2013|access-date=2 December 2020}} In his 2014 Masters quarter-final against Ricky Walden, he set a new record for the most points scored without reply in professional competition, with 556,{{cite web|title=World Records - Snooker.org|url=http://www.snooker.org/plr/records.shtml|access-date=7 September 2020|website=snooker.org}} and went on to beat the defending champion Mark Selby 10–4 in the final to claim his fifth Masters title.{{cite news|last=Burnside|first=Brian|title=The 2014 Masters: Nerveless Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Mark Selby to take his fifth title|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/2014-masters-nerveless-ronnie-o-sullivan-beats-mark-selby-take-his-fifth-title-9070685.html|work=The Independent|date=19 January 2014|access-date=2 December 2020}} At the 2014 World Championship, he reached a third consecutive world final, where he again faced Selby. Despite taking a 10–5 lead, O'Sullivan lost 18–14, his first defeat in a world final.{{cite news|title=Snooker World Championships 2014: Mark Selby becomes world champion after defeating Ronnie O'Sullivan in Crucible final|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/other-sport/snooker-world-championships-2014-mark-7075148|publisher=WalesOnline|date=5 May 2014|access-date=2 December 2020}} Later in 2014, he won his fifth UK Championship, beating Judd Trump 10–9 in the final. However, he declined to defend his title the following year and pulled out of the 2015 UK Championship, citing debilitating insomnia.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/ronnie-o-sullivan-i-m-under-doctor-s-orders.-insomnia-makes-it-difficult-for-me-to-make-a-20-break_sto4952359/story.shtml|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan: I'm listening to my doctor. Insomnia makes it difficult for me to make 20 break|publisher=Eurosport|date=15 October 2015|access-date=12 February 2020}} At the 2015 Masters, he made his 776th century break in professional competition, surpassing Hendry's record for the most career centuries.{{cite web|last=Richards|first=Alex|date=15 January 2015|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan breaks Stephen Hendry's record with 776th career century at The Masters|url=http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/other-sport/snooker/ronnie-osullivan-breaks-stephen-hendrys-4985812|access-date=17 February 2022|website=Irish Mirror|language=en}}

File:Ronnie O'Sullivan with World Championship Trophy 2013.jpg]]

O'Sullivan won two consecutive Masters tournaments in 2016 and 2017 for a record seven Masters titles. He also won two consecutive UK Championships in 2017 and 2018 for a record seven UK titles, attaining a total of 19 Triple Crown titles to surpass Hendry's total of 18. During the 2017–18 season, he won five ranking events.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/43536072 |title=Players Championship snooker: Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Shaun Murphy in final |date=25 March 2018 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=4 March 2020}} He defeated Neil Robertson 10–4 in the final to win the 2019 Players Championship. In the last frame of the match, he made his 1,000th century break in professional competition, becoming the first player to reach that milestone.{{cite web|last=Mirza|first=Raz|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan makes 1,000th century break to win Players Championship in Preston|url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/snooker/news/12243/11661532/ronnie-osullivan-makes-1000th-century-break-to-win-players-championship-in-preston|publisher=Sky Sports|date=10 March 2019|access-date=2 December 2020}} He won his 36th ranking title at the 2019 Tour Championship, equalling Hendry's record and attaining the world number one ranking for the first time since May 2010.{{cite web|title=O'Sullivan Claims Record Equalling Title|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/osullivan-claims-record-equalling-title/|date=24 March 2019|access-date=25 March 2019|work=worldsnooker.com|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association}}

At the 2020 World Championship, O'Sullivan came from 14 to 16 behind in the semi-final against Selby to win 17–16. He then defeated Kyren Wilson 18–8 in the final to win his sixth world title. The tournament marked his 28th consecutive Crucible appearance, surpassing Hendry's record of 27 consecutive appearances. He reached his 58th ranking final at the 2021 Tour Championship, breaking Hendry's record of 57 ranking final appearances,{{cite web|date=27 March 2021|title=Rocket Fightback Floors Hawk|url=https://wst.tv/rocket-fightback-floors-hawk/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327233656/https://wst.tv/rocket-fightback-floors-hawk/|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 March 2021|access-date=28 March 2021|website=World Snooker|language=en-US}} but lost 10–4 to Neil Robertson. During the tournament, he made his 1,100th century break in professional competition.{{cite web|date=22 March 2021|title=Tour Championship 2021 – Ronnie O'Sullivan sinks 1100th century in tense win over John Higgins|url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/tour-championship/2021/tour-championship-2021-ronnie-osullivan-sinks-1100th-century-in-tense-win-over-john-higgins_sto8188921/story.shtml|access-date=25 March 2021|website=Eurosport|language=en}} He lost five consecutive ranking finals in the 2020–21 season, but ended a 16-month title drought by winning his 38th ranking title at the 2021 World Grand Prix.{{cite web|date=19 December 2021|title=O'Sullivan Ends Title Drought|url=https://wst.tv/osullivan-ends-title-drought/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219223519/https://wst.tv/osullivan-ends-title-drought/|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 December 2021|access-date=20 December 2021|website=World Snooker|language=en-US}}

O'Sullivan defeated Trump 18–13 in the 2022 World Championship final to win his seventh world title, equalling Hendry for the most world titles in the modern era.{{cite web |date=2 May 2022 |title=O'Sullivan Beats Trump For Magnificent Seventh |url=https://wst.tv/osullivan-beats-trump-for-magnificent-seventh/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503035821/https://wst.tv/osullivan-beats-trump-for-magnificent-seventh/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 May 2022 |access-date=3 May 2022 |website=World Snooker |language=en-US}}{{cite news |last1=Bower |first1=Aaron |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Judd Trump for record-equalling seventh Crucible title |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/may/02/ronnie-osullivan-blunts-judd-trump-fightback-to-triumph-at-crucible |access-date=3 May 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=2 May 2022}} Aged {{age in years and days|1975-12-05|2022-05-02|sep=and}}, he became the oldest World Champion in snooker history, surpassing Reardon, who won his last title in 1978 aged {{age in years and days|1932-10-08|1978-04-29|sep=and}}.{{Cite web |last=Kane|first=Desmond|date=3 May 2022 |title='A miraculous work of sports Pulp Fiction' – How Ronnie O'Sullivan defied time to cement legacy as snooker GOAT |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/world-championship/2021-2022/a-miraculous-work-of-sports-pulp-fiction-how-ronnie-osullivan-defied-time-to-cement-legacy-as-snooke_sto8909868/story.shtml |access-date=5 May 2022 |website=Eurosport |language=en}} O'Sullivan also surpassed Hendry's record of 70 Crucible wins, setting a new record of 74.{{cite web |last=Hammer|first=Chris|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan's career statistics and records as he equals Stephen Hendry's tally of seven World Championship titles |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/ronnie-osullivans-career-statistics-and-records-as-he-equals-stephen-hendrys-tally-of-seven-world-championship-titles/200458 |date=3 May 2022|access-date=3 May 2022 |website=Sporting Life |language=en-GB}}

O'Sullivan defeated Marco Fu 6–4 to win the 2022 Hong Kong Masters. The final was played before an estimated 9,000 spectators, the largest audience ever to attend a snooker match.{{Cite news |title=Record crowd sees O'Sullivan claim Hong Kong title |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/63189290 |date=9 October 2022|access-date=8 January 2023}} At the 2023 World Snooker Championship, O'Sullivan made a record 31st Crucible appearance, surpassing the previous record of 30 by Steve Davis.{{Cite web |last= |date=15 April 2023 |title=O'Sullivan Sets New Crucible Record |url=https://wst.tv/osullivan-sets-new-crucible-record/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415213000/https://wst.tv/osullivan-sets-new-crucible-record/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 April 2023 |access-date=16 April 2023 |website=World Snooker |language=en-US}} He made his 200th Crucible century break and his 1,200th century in professional competition during his second-round match against Hossein Vafaei.{{Cite web |last= |date=22 April 2023 |title=O'Sullivan Crushes Vafaei In Two Sessions |url=https://wst.tv/osullivan-crushes-vafaei-in-two-sessions/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422170834/https://wst.tv/osullivan-crushes-vafaei-in-two-sessions/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 April 2023 |access-date=24 April 2023 |website=World Snooker |language=en-US}} His reached the quarter-final, becoming the first player to compete in 100 matches at the Crucible,{{Cite web |last=Nunns |first=Hector |date=24 April 2023 |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan Set To Make History As First Member Of Crucible Centurion Club |url=https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/ronnie-o-sullivan-set-to-make-history-as-first-member-of-crucible-centurion-club |access-date=29 July 2023 |website=The Sportsman |language=EN}} but lost 10–13 to eventual winner Luca Brecel.{{cite web|last=Sutcliffe|first=Steve|title=World Snooker Championship 2023 results: Ronnie O'Sullivan's hopes ended by Luca Brecel in last eight|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/65403134|work=BBC Sport|date=27 April 2023|access-date=25 October 2024}}

At the invitational 2023 Shanghai Masters, O'Sullivan defeated Brecel 11–9 in the final to claim his fourth consecutive, and fifth total, Shanghai Masters title, extending his winning streak at the tournament to 18 matches since 2017.{{Cite news |title=O'Sullivan beats Brecel to win Shanghai Masters |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/66834827 |access-date=17 September 2023}} He won record-extending eighth titles at both the 2023 UK Championship and the 2024 Masters, respectively defeating Ding Junhui and Ali Carter 10–7 in the finals. This extended his record number of ranking titles to 40 and Triple Crown titles to 23. Aged {{age in years and days|1975-12-05|2023-12-03|sep=and}} when he won the UK Championship, and {{age in years and days|1975-12-05|2024-01-14|sep=and}} when he won the Masters, he became the oldest winner of all three Triple Crown events.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=14 January 2024 |title=Rocket Soars To Eighth Masters Crown |url=https://www.wst.tv//news/2024/january/14/rocket-soars-to--eighth-masters-crown/ |access-date=17 January 2024 |website=World Snooker Tour |language=en}} He also became simultaneously the youngest and oldest winner of both the UK Championship and the Masters.{{Cite news |last1=sport |first1=Guardian |last2=Media |first2=P. A. |date=14 January 2024 |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan fights back to beat Ali Carter and win eighth Masters title |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/jan/14/ronnie-osullivan-fights-back-to-beat-ali-carter-and-win-eighth-masters-title |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite news |date=14 January 2024 |title=Masters 2024: Ronnie O'Sullivan fights back to beat Ali Carter 10-7 for eighth title |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/67975674 |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} He won his 41st ranking title at the 2024 World Grand Prix with a 10–7 victory over Trump in the final,{{Cite news |date=2024-01-21 |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Judd Trump 10-7 to win World Grand Prix final |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/68049760 |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} and went on to win the invitational 2024 World Masters of Snooker, the first professional snooker tournament held in Saudi Arabia, defeating Brecel 5–2 in the final.{{Cite news |date=2024-03-06 |title=Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker: Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Luca Brecel in final |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/68496486 |access-date=2024-05-11 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} He signed a three-year ambassadorial deal with Saudi Arabia, which requires him to play in all World Snooker Tour events staged in that country, to establish a snooker academy in the Middle East, and to contribute to the development of the sport in the region.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-02 |title=World Championship: Ronnie O'Sullivan casts doubt on UK appearances next season |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/articles/c84zqkqwpq2o |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} At the 2024 Shanghai Masters, O'Sullivan lost 3–10 to Trump in the semi-finals, his first defeat at the tournament since 2016, after 20 consecutive match wins.{{cite web|title=Shanghai Masters: Judd Trump halts Ronnie O'Sullivan march|url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/shanghai-masters-judd-trump-halts-ronnie-osullivan-march/219342|work=Sporting Life|date=20 July 2024|access-date=25 October 2024}} During the 2024–25 snooker season to date, O'Sullivan has withdrawn from nine tournaments, including the 2025 Masters, the 2025 German Masters, the 2025 Welsh Open, and the 2025 World Grand Prix.{{Cite web |last=Chiu |first=Nigel |date=1 March 2025 |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan: Seven-time world champion won't play until World Snooker Championship at Crucible after withdrawing from World Grand Prix |url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/snooker/news/12040/13319369/ronnie-osullivan-seven-time-world-champion-wont-play-until-word-snooker-championship-at-crucible-after-withdrawing-from-world-grand-prix |access-date=24 March 2025 |website=Sky Sports}} O'Sullivan returned to competition after a three-month break at the 2025 World Snooker Championship, defeating Ali Carter 10-4 in the first round.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-23 |title=World Snooker Championship 2025: Returning Ronnie O'Sullivan feared Crucible 'meltdown' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/articles/c77nek2v35do |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

O'Sullivan's other career highlights include three World Grand Prix titles, two Players Championship titles, four Welsh Open titles, two Scottish Open titles, two German Masters titles, four Irish Masters titles, two China Open titles, two Champions Cup titles, ten Premier League titles, four Champion of Champions titles, three Scottish Masters titles, and five Shanghai Masters titles.{{cite web|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan|url=https://wpbsa.com/player/ronnie-osullivan/|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|access-date=2 December 2020}}

File:Ronnie O'Sullivan PHC 2011-1.png]]

Known for his fast and attacking style of play, O'Sullivan gained the nickname "The Rocket" after winning a best-of-nine frame match in a record 43 minutes during his debut season as a professional.{{cite web|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan's sixth World Championship breaks the ranking title record and brings up his 20th Triple Crown triumph|url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/osullivan-breaking-more-records/183261|access-date=7 September 2020|website=Sporting Life|location=UK}} A prolific break builder and great tactical player, he has stated his disdain for long, drawn-out games, saying that they harm the game of snooker.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/aug/21/snooker.gdnsport3|title=Ding breaks test limits of O'Sullivan's patience|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=1 May 2007|date=21 August 2006|location=London|first=Alan|last=David|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203211817/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/aug/21/snooker.gdnsport3|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=live}} O'Sullivan is ambidextrous, as he is right-handed but can play to a high standard with his left hand and routinely alternates when needed, enabling him to attempt shots with his left hand that would otherwise require a {{Cuegloss|Cross|rest}} or {{Cuegloss|spider}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.sweeblenews.com/story/view/1335|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan – a troubled genius|publisher=Sweeble|access-date=1 May 2007|date=2 February 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121114337/http://www.sweeblenews.com/story/view/1335|archive-date=21 November 2008}} When he first displayed this left-handed ability in the 1996 World Championship against Alain Robidoux, the Canadian accused him of disrespect and refused to shake hands after the match.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/anger-over-left-leaning-osullivan-1306125.html |title=Anger over left-leaning O'Sullivan |work=The Independent |access-date=19 September 2017 |date=21 April 1996 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920101314/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/anger-over-left-leaning-osullivan-1306125.html |archive-date=20 September 2017 |url-status=live }}

O'Sullivan is highly regarded in snooker, with several of his peers regarding him as the greatest player ever,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3677833.stm|title='Magic' Ronnie wows Reardon|work=BBC Sport|access-date=5 May 2007|date=2 May 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060531203334/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3677833.stm|archive-date=31 May 2006|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3681493.stm|title=O'Sullivan 'may be greatest'|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 April 2007|date=4 May 2004|first=Dan|last=Warren|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060531203428/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3681493.stm|archive-date=31 May 2006|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4348072.stm|title=Superb Higgins blows Rocket away|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 April 2007|date=16 October 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406071049/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4348072.stm|archive-date=6 April 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6572815.stm|title=Whirlwind Q&A|work=BBC Sport|access-date=1 May 2007|date=20 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427212142/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6572815.stm|archive-date=27 April 2007|url-status=live}}{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/22429059 | title=World Snooker: Imperious Ronnie O'Sullivan divides and rules | date=6 May 2013 |publisher=BBC | access-date=3 March 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309165033/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/22429059 | archive-date=9 March 2014 | url-status=live }} and some labelling him a "genius".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/world_snooker_championship/1318221.stm|title=No ordinary genius|work=BBC Sport|access-date=22 April 2007|date=1 May 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091216040053/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/world_snooker_championship/1318221.stm|archive-date=16 December 2009|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/other-sports/snooker/steve-davis-hails-genius-champion-976567|title=Steve Davis hails 'genius' champion Ronnie O'Sullivan|newspaper=Daily Record|access-date=28 January 2010|date=7 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002172949/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/other-sports/snooker/steve-davis-hails-genius-champion-976567|archive-date=2 October 2012|url-status=live}} After losing 17–6 to O'Sullivan in the 2008 World Championship semi-final, Hendry described him as "the best player in the world by a country mile".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7381520.stm|title=O'Sullivan best in the world|work=BBC Sport|access-date=14 August 2009|date=2 May 2008|first=Saj|last=Chowdhury|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223100724/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7381520.stm|archive-date=23 December 2008|url-status=live}} In 2024, Hendry agreed that there was no longer any question as to whether O'Sullivan was the greatest snooker player of all time, also calling him an "artist".{{Cite web |date=11 January 2014 |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan 'is the GOAT' and an 'artist' says Stephen Hendry as Rocket hunts eighth crown at The Masters |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/the-masters/2023-2024/ronnie-o-sullivan-is-the-goat-and-an-artist-says-stephen-hendry-as-rocket-hunts-eighth-crown-at-the-_sto9952922/story.shtml |access-date=17 January 2024 |website=www.eurosport.com}} However, O'Sullivan himself has dismissed the suggestion that he is the greatest player and has identified Hendry as the greatest due to his domination of snooker.{{cite news |first=Jamie |last=Shaw |title=Sharing seven world titles with Ronnie O'Sullivan "would be an honour" says Stephen Hendry |date=28 April 2022 |work=Live Snooker |url=https://www.livesnooker.com/major-ranking-events/world-snooker-championship/sharing-seven-world-titles-with-ronnie-would-be-honour-says-hendry|access-date=3 May 2022 }}

One of the most popular players on the circuit,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/1809948.stm|title=White stuns O'Sullivan|work=BBC Sport|access-date=3 May 2007|date=8 February 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502233845/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/1809948.stm|archive-date=2 May 2008|url-status=live}} he is noted for being a "showman",{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/1766109.stm|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan|work=BBC Sport|access-date=3 May 2007|date=21 January 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406071206/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/1766109.stm|archive-date=6 April 2012|url-status=live}} and is credited with helping improve the image of snooker with the general public.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/content/articles/2006/10/13/ronnie_osullivan_on_the_spot.shtml|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan On the Spot|work=BBC Sport|access-date=5 May 2007|date=19 May 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403081007/http://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/content/articles/2006/10/13/ronnie_osullivan_on_the_spot.shtml|archive-date=3 April 2008|url-status=live}} He has often been compared with Alex Higgins and Jimmy White for his natural talent and popularity. In December 2020, O'Sullivan was nominated for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year Award, becoming the first snooker player to receive a nomination since Hendry in 1990.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/55143539|title = Sports Personality of the Year 2020: Who are the contenders? – CBBC Newsround}}{{Cite web |last=Ivan |date=20 December 2022 |title=O'Sullivan Nominated For BBC Award |url=https://wst.tv/osullivan-nominated-for-bbc-award/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220093332/https://wst.tv/osullivan-nominated-for-bbc-award/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 December 2022 |access-date=20 December 2022 |website=World Snooker |language=en-US}} He was nominated for a second time in December 2022.

However, O'Sullivan sometimes lacks confidence or interest,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6180811.stm |title=Rocket goes off again |work=BBC Sport |access-date=21 April 2007 |date=14 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124234757/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6180811.stm |archive-date=24 January 2007 |url-status=live }} and has performed inconsistently throughout his career,{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/snooker-osullivan-needs-consistency-to-match-talent-6170397.html|title=O'Sullivan needs consistency to match talent|work=The Independent|publisher=Independent Print Limited|access-date=22 April 2007|date=5 May 2005|location=London|first=Nick|last=Harris|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218195346/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/snooker-osullivan-needs-consistency-to-match-talent-6170397.html|archive-date=18 December 2013|url-status=live}} with observers noting the "two Ronnies" aspect of his character.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/apr/19/comment.leehoneyball|title=O'Sullivan no value in wide-open contest|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=22 April 2007|date=19 April 2007|location=London|first=Lee|last=Honeyball|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204070221/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/apr/19/comment.leehoneyball|archive-date=4 December 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/osullivan-feels-in-touch-with-better-of-the-two-ronnies-wdlxndcb5s7|title=O'Sullivan feels in touch with better of the two Ronnies|newspaper=The Times |access-date=22 April 2007 |date=20 April 2007 |location=London |first=Rick |last=Broadbent}}

Other sportsmen have publicly praised O'Sullivan with tennis player, Novak Djokovic saying: "I watch snooker because of Ronnie O'Sullivan".{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=3 July 2024 |title=Novak Djokovic: I watch snooker because of Ronnie O'Sullivan |url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/snooker/news/32498/13162773/novak-djokovic-i-watch-snooker-because-of-ronnie-osullivan |access-date=6 July 2024 |website=SkySports News}}

After Barry Hearn took charge of World Snooker in 2010, O'Sullivan became a vocal critic of how Hearn reconfigured the professional tour. He took issue with increased travel expectations, flat 128 draws that required top professionals to play more rounds against lower-ranked opponents, reduced prize money for maximum breaks, and tournament venues he saw as inadequate. He accused snooker's governing body WPBSA of bullying and intimidating him, said that Hearn was running a "dictatorship",{{cite news|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan: Barry Hearn rejects five-time world champion's 'dictator' claim|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/46198716|access-date=13 November 2018}} protested alleged mistreatment by snooker's authorities by giving robotic or monosyllabic responses in interviews,{{Cite news|date=8 February 2017|title='Ronnie the robot': O'Sullivan's protest interview|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/snooker/38912928|access-date=1 September 2020}} and refused opportunities to make maximum breaks in apparent protest over inadequate prize money for the achievement.{{cite web|date=26 April 2017|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan appears to turn down maximum break for 146|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/arid-30787256.html|access-date=1 September 2020|website=Irish Examiner|language=en}} In 2018, he threatened to form a breakaway snooker tour akin to the split in darts.{{Cite news|title=O'Sullivan 'ready' with breakaway tour|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/46419267|access-date=1 September 2020}}

During the 2020 World Championship, O'Sullivan publicly criticised the standard of new players coming into snooker, stating that he would have to "lose an arm and a leg to fall out of the top 50".{{cite web|title=World Snooker Championship: Ronnie O'Sullivan says he'd have to 'lose an arm and a leg to fall out of the top 50'|url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/osullivan-slams-standard-of-emerging-players/183045|access-date=10 August 2020|work=Sporting Life|location=UK}} He was also critical of the tournament organisers' decision to allow fans into the final during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan criticises 'irresponsible' decision to allow fans into Crucible for World Championship final|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/snooker/ronnie-osullivan-world-championship-final-kyren-wilson-mark-selby-a9671971.html|access-date=15 August 2020|work=The Independent|date=15 August 2020}}

In 2021, O'Sullivan claimed on a podcast interview that most snooker players had wasted their lives. He called snooker a "bad sport" that can cause "a lot of damage", suggesting that the antisocial nature of solitary practice in a darkened environment can stunt players' personal development. He stated that he would not support his own children if they chose to become snooker players, and said that if he could live his sporting career over again, he would pursue golf or Formula One instead.{{cite web|last=Haigh|first=Phil|date=27 June 2021|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan: Snooker is 'a waste of a life' for most players|url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/06/27/ronnie-osullivan-snooker-is-a-waste-of-a-life-for-most-players-14836006/|access-date=5 July 2021|website=Metro|language=en}}

Eurosport signed an exclusive deal with O'Sullivan in March 2014 to make him its global ambassador for snooker, with the goal of driving its international appeal.{{cite news |url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140310/sport/O-Sullivan-takes-up-TV-challenge.509999 |title=O'Sullivan takes up TV challenge |access-date=13 March 2014 |date=9 March 2014 |newspaper=The Times (Malta) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313152527/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140310/sport/O-Sullivan-takes-up-TV-challenge.509999 |archive-date=13 March 2014 |url-status=live }} As part of this deal, O'Sullivan created a special snooker series for the network called The Ronnie O'Sullivan Show, which included his insights into the game, interviews with other professional players, and playing tips. He also wrote for Yahoo! websites and mobile apps during the 2014 World Championship.{{cite web |url= http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/snooker-ronnie-osullivan-signs-eurosport-090012553--spt.html |title= Snooker – Ronnie O'Sullivan signs for Eurosport |access-date=13 March 2014 |date=7 March 2014 |website= Yahoo Eurosport UK |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140313161810/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/snooker-ronnie-osullivan-signs-eurosport-090012553--spt.html |archive-date= 13 March 2014}} He frequently appears as a pundit on Eurosport's snooker coverage, alongside Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

In 2015 and 2016, O'Sullivan co-hosted the Midweek Matchzone show with Chris Hood on Brentwood radio station Phoenix FM.{{cite web |url= http://www.phoenixfm.com/author/ronnieandchris |title= Midweek Matchzone on Phoenix FM |access-date= 15 June 2015 |website= Phoenix FM |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150729211714/http://www.phoenixfm.com/author/ronnieandchris/ |archive-date= 29 July 2015 |url-status= live }} In 2017, he starred in miniseries Ronnie O'Sullivan's American Hustle with broadcasting friend Matt Smith, in which the pair toured different cities in the United States learning the art of pool hustling.{{cite news|last=Fletcher|first=Alex|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan's American Hustle: 5 reasons you need to watch the HISTORY show|url=https://tv.bt.com/tv/tv-from-bt/ronnie-osullivans-american-hustle-5-reasons-you-need-to-watch-the-history-show-11364141631698|website=BT TV|date=26 January 2017|access-date=5 April 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413022040/http://tv.bt.com/tv/tv-from-bt/ronnie-osullivans-american-hustle-5-reasons-you-need-to-watch-the-history-show-11364141631698|archive-date=13 April 2019}}

File:Ronnie O’Sullivan at Snooker German Masters (Martin Rulsch) 2014-01-30 07.jpg

O'Sullivan has written three crime novels in collaboration with author Emlyn Rees:{{cite magazine |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/pan-mac-publish-snooker-champ-ronnie-osullivans-next-novel-556516 |title=Pan Mac to publish Ronnie O'Sullivan's next novel |date=22 May 2017 |access-date=18 December 2019 |first=Katherine |last=Cowdrey |magazine=The Bookseller |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131241/https://www.thebookseller.com/news/pan-mac-publish-snooker-champ-ronnie-osullivans-next-novel-556516 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |url-status=live }} Framed (2016),{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36733470 |title=Snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan writing crime novel |date=7 July 2016 |access-date=18 December 2019 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218074917/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36733470 |archive-date=18 December 2019 |url-status=live }} Double Kiss (2017),{{cite web |url=http://www.victoriasadler.com/book-review-double-kiss-by-ronnie-osullivan/ |title=Book Review: Double Kiss by Ronnie O'Sullivan |first=Victoria |last=Sadler |date=29 November 2017 |access-date=18 December 2019 |website=victoriasadler.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218074924/http://www.victoriasadler.com/book-review-double-kiss-by-ronnie-osullivan/ |archive-date=18 December 2019 |url-status=live }} and The Break (2018). Although the novels are not autobiographical, they are loosely based on his early experiences and family life. He has also written two autobiographies. His first, Ronnie: The Autobiography of Ronnie O'Sullivan, was published in 2003; and his second, Running: The Autobiography, was published in 2013.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/running-the-autobiography-by-ronnie-osullivan-8876559.html |title=Running: The Autobiography, by Ronnie O'Sullivan |date=13 October 2013 |first=Simon |last=Redfern |work=The Independent |access-date=18 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218093841/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/running-the-autobiography-by-ronnie-osullivan-8876559.html |archive-date=18 December 2019 |url-status=live }} He has also co-authored a health and fitness book with nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert entitled Top of Your Game: Eating for Mind and Body. Published in 2019, it contains healthy recipes and advice for "living better, eating healthier and feeding your brain to enhance your performance".{{cite web |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/ronnie-o-sullivan-s-first-health-and-fitness-book-lagom-747026 |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan to release health and fitness book |date=7 March 2018 |first=Katherine |last=Cowdrey |work=The Bookseller |access-date=18 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218101447/https://www.thebookseller.com/news/ronnie-o-sullivan-s-first-health-and-fitness-book-lagom-747026 |archive-date=18 December 2019 |url-status=live }}

O'Sullivan has been involved with several video games, including Virtual Snooker on DOS and Windows in 1996, PlayStation and Xbox game World Snooker Championship 2007 in 2007, and Ronnie O'Sullivan's Snooker for PlayStation Portable in 2012.{{cite web|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan|url=https://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,352694/#|publisher=MobyGames|access-date=2 December 2020}}

{{Main article|Ronnie O'Sullivan: The Edge of Everything}}

A documentary film titled Ronnie O'Sullivan: The Edge of Everything was produced by David Beckham's production company Studio 99, directed by filmmaker Sam Blair, and distributed by MetFilms.{{Cite web |date=28 November 2023 |title=How to watch Ronnie O'Sullivan documentary The Edge of Everything |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/snooker/ronnie-osullivan-the-edge-of-everything-how-to-watch-b2450361.html |access-date=3 December 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en}} The film premiered in London on 21 November 2023, and was released on Amazon Prime Video on 23 November. It highlighted the hardships he faced as a professional at the highest level of snooker, as well as how his personal life had impacted his career.{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Cath |date=21 November 2023 |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan: The Edge of Everything review – snooker legend unpicks the game he loves and loathes |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/nov/21/ronnie-osullivan-the-edge-of-everything-review-snooker-legend-unpicks-the-game-he-loves-and-loathes |access-date=3 December 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}

In October 2023, O'Sullivan launched an online snooker course entitled The Rocket Method, where he provides in-depth lessons on the game for a subscription fee.{{Cite web |last=Caulfield |first=David |date=2023-04-15 |title=The Rocket Method - Ronnie O'Sullivan launches online snooker course |url=https://snookerhq.com/2023/04/15/the-rocket-method-ronnie-osullivan-launches-online-snooker-course/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=SnookerHQ |language=en-GB}} Assisted by Alan McManus, the course contains 12 episodes, each an hour in length, of which the final batch of episodes was released in March 2024.{{Cite web |title=Course {{!}} The Rocket Method. Ronnie O'Sullivan's Ultimate Snooker Course. |url=https://www.snooker.online/en/course/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=www.snooker.online |language=en-GB}} The course has a cinematic production and was directed by Oscar-nominated director Gregg Helvey, and episodes are available in English and Mandarin Chinese.

O'Sullivan was born on 5 December 1975 in Wordsley, West Midlands,{{cite web|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/players/ronnie-osullivan/|date=11 January 2015|publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908002845/http://www.worldsnooker.com/players/ronnie-osullivan/|archive-date=8 September 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Bios: Ronnie O'Sullivan|url=http://www.history.co.uk/biographies/ronnie-osullivan|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909053827/http://www.history.co.uk/biographies/ronnie-osullivan|archive-date=9 September 2017|access-date=8 September 2017|publisher=History TV}} the son of Ronald John and Maria (née Catalano) O'Sullivan, who ran a string of sex shops in the Soho area of London.{{cite news|last=Hunter-Tilney|first=Ludovic|date=11 October 2013|title=Lunch with the FT: Ronnie O'Sullivan|newspaper=Financial Times|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/4dc41032-30e1-11e3-b991-00144feab7de.html|url-status=live|access-date=12 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012080038/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/4dc41032-30e1-11e3-b991-00144feab7de.html#axzz2hPlRdWSg|archive-date=12 October 2013}} His mother is originally from Sicily, and O'Sullivan spent childhood holidays in the village near Agrigento where she grew up.{{Cite news|last=Pollen|first=Lisa|date=10 December 2017|title=My hols: Ronnie O'Sullivan|language=en|work=The Times|url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/my-hols-ronnie-osullivan-6mn56w0kd|access-date=23 September 2021|issn=0140-0460}} He was brought up in the Manor Road area of Chigwell, Essex, where he lived for some years{{Cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/PlayersAlphabeticalArticle/0,,13165~2234637,00.html |title=Official player profile of Ronnie O'Sullivan |work=worldsnooker.com |at="Players Alphabetical" section |publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association |access-date=8 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414151421/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/PlayersAlphabeticalArticle/0,,13165~2234637,00.html |archive-date=14 April 2012 }} and attended Wanstead High School.https://wansteadium.com/respect-for-ronnie/ As of mid-2024, he lived in the adjoining area of Chingford and Woodford Green.{{Cite web |last=Cowburn |first=Ashley |date=2024-06-17 |title=Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan on who he's voting for in General Election |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/snooker-legend-ronnie-osullivan-backs-33047806 |access-date=2024-06-17 |quote=I’ll be voting for Faiza and, over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be helping to encourage people to get behind her too. |website=The Mirror |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Penna |first=Dominic |date=2024-06-17 |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan backs Left-wing candidate against Labour |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/06/17/ronnie-osullivan-snooker-labour-chingford-faiza-corbyn-ids/ |quote=I’m definitely going to be voting for Faiza. |access-date=2024-06-17 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} He is a first cousin of snooker player Maria Catalano, who has been ranked number one in the women's game.{{cite news|date=31 May 2013|title=Reanne Evans thinks women are good enough to compete at top|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/22732721|url-status=live|access-date=25 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423114001/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/22732721|archive-date=23 April 2015}} In 1992 his father was sentenced to life in prison for murder and was released in 2010 after serving 18 years.{{cite news|date=19 November 2010|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan Sr freed after 18 years in prison|work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/9212157.stm |url-status=live|access-date=20 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219082040/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/9212157.stm|archive-date=19 February 2014}} His mother was sentenced to a year in prison for tax evasion in 1996, leaving O'Sullivan to care for his eight-year-old sister Danielle.{{Cite news|date=7 July 2016|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan writing crime novel|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-36733470|access-date=17 March 2020}} In 1995 he was banned from driving for a year and fined £1,200, as he returned from the International Open, in Bournemouth, after defeat in the last 16.{{Cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/06/24/ronnie-osullivan-recalls-police-chase-and-fears-of-being-shot-before-driving-ban-14822500/|title=O'Sullivan recalls police chase and fears of being shot before driving ban|first=Phil|last=Haigh|date=24 June 2021}}

O'Sullivan has three children: a daughter named Taylor-Ann (born 1997) from a two-year relationship with Sally Magnus,{{cite news |last=Majendie |first=Matt |title=How being a father has given tough-guy Ronnie O'Sullivan a soft side |date=26 October 2010 |newspaper=Evening Standard |location=London |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/how-being-a-father-has-given-toughguy-ronnie-osullivan-a-soft-side-6528778.html |access-date=11 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028214341/http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/how-being-a-father-has-given-toughguy-ronnie-osullivan-a-soft-side-6528778.html |archive-date=28 October 2013 |url-status=live }} as well as a son and a daughter from a relationship with Jo Langley, whom he met at Narcotics Anonymous.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/oct/31/snooker.features|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan on how he changed his life|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=21 April 2007|date=31 October 2004|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015161249/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/oct/31/snooker.features|archive-date=15 October 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://de.eurosport.yahoo.com/13062007/73/ronnie-papa.html |title=Ronnie wieder Papa|publisher=Eurosport DE|language=de|access-date=13 June 2007|date=13 June 2004|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080509000952/http://de.eurosport.yahoo.com/13062007/73/ronnie-papa.html |archive-date = 9 May 2008}} He became a grandfather in October 2018 after Taylor-Ann gave birth to a daughter.{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/ronnie-osullivan-hasnt-seen-newborn-13601783|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan: 'I've just become a grandad at 42 but I haven't seen my grandchild'|newspaper=Daily Mirror|date=17 November 2018|access-date=10 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211010125/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/ronnie-osullivan-hasnt-seen-newborn-13601783|archive-date=11 December 2018|url-status=live}} He began dating actress Laila Rouass in 2012, and became engaged to her in 2013.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2013020411017/ronnie-osullivan-laila-rouass-engaged/|title=Snooker star Ronnie rockets to happiness after proposing to Laila Rouass|magazine=Hello|access-date=22 August 2013|date=4 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928164027/http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2013020411017/ronnie-osullivan-laila-rouass-engaged/|archive-date=28 September 2013|url-status=live}} Rouass announced on social media in February 2022 that they had ended their ten-year relationship.{{cite web|last1=Kent|first1=Sara-Aisha|last2=Knox|first2=Susan|date=16 February 2022|title=Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan and Laila Rouass split after 10 years together|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/breaking-footballers-wives-laila-rouass-26245149|access-date=16 February 2022|website=mirror|language=en}} The couple later reconciled,{{Cite web |last=Stanfield |first=Leah |date=23 December 2022 |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan tells Laila 'stop taking pictures' after reconciling |url=https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1713463/ronnie-osullivan-laila-rouass-stop-taking-pictures-back-together-instagram |access-date=7 January 2023 |website=Express.co.uk |language=en}} but in September 2024 were reported to have broken up again.{{Cite web |last=Parker-Turner |first=Charlie |date=2024-09-20 |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan 'splits' from actress fiancee Rouass after 12 years together |url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/1950907/Ronnie-O-Sullivan-Laila-Rouass-split-snooker-news |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=Express.co.uk |language=en}}

O'Sullivan is known for his perfectionism and for being highly self-critical,{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/more-sport/snooker/o-sullivan-admits-he-strives-for-perfection-1-682314|title=O'Sullivan admits he strives for perfection|newspaper=The Scotsman|access-date=17 April 2007|date=16 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014185622/http://www.scotsman.com/sport/more-sport/snooker/o-sullivan-admits-he-strives-for-perfection-1-682314|archive-date=14 October 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/2453969.stm|title=O'Sullivan calls for support|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=17 April 2007|date=12 November 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030829085443/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/2453969.stm|archive-date=29 August 2003|url-status=live}} even in victory.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7384775.stm|title=O'Sullivan triumph 'not his best'|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 August 2009|date=6 May 2008|first=Saj|last=Chowdhury|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201021549/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/7384775.stm|archive-date=1 February 2010|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4282449.stm|title=Awesome O'Sullivan wins Masters|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 April 2007|date=20 February 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406070037/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4282449.stm|archive-date=6 April 2012|url-status=live}} Early in his career, he was treated for drug-related issues and bouts of depression.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/world_snooker_championship/1318231.stm|title=Tale of two Ronnies|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 April 2007|date=8 May 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218145628/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/world_snooker_championship/1318231.stm|archive-date=18 December 2007|url-status=live}} Since 2011, psychiatrist and sports psychologist Steve Peters, a close friend,{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/17/ronnie-osullivan-snooker-world-championship|title=O'Sullivan uses snooker not the other way around|website=TheGuardian.com|date=17 March 2015|access-date=2 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302115049/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/17/ronnie-osullivan-snooker-world-championship|archive-date=2 March 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/03/sport/football/steve-peters-mind-doctor/|title=Dr Steve Peters smooths the chimp within|date=3 June 2014 |access-date=2 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302113850/http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/03/sport/football/steve-peters-mind-doctor/|archive-date=2 March 2017|url-status=live}} has helped him overcome his mood swings.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17972505|title=World Snooker 2012: Ronnie O'Sullivan ready to retire|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 May 2012|access-date=7 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506112448/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17972505|archive-date=6 May 2012|url-status=live}} He is also a close friend of artist Damien Hirst.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/10770801/Why-Ronnie-OSullivan-will-call-on-Damien-Hirst-at-the-World-Championships.html|title=O'Sullivan calls on Damien Hirst|date=16 April 2014 |access-date=3 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522041414/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/10770801/Why-Ronnie-OSullivan-will-call-on-Damien-Hirst-at-the-World-Championships.html|archive-date=22 May 2018|url-status=live}} Noted for repeatedly declaring his intention to retire,{{cite news|last=Liew|first=Jonathan|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan into World Championship final after beating Judd Trump at Crucible|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/10037487/Ronnie-OSullivan-into-World-Championship-final-after-beating-Judd-Trump-at-Crucible.html|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=5 May 2013|date=4 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505055639/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/10037487/Ronnie-OSullivan-into-World-Championship-final-after-beating-Judd-Trump-at-Crucible.html|archive-date=5 May 2013|url-status=live}} O'Sullivan took an extended break from the professional snooker tour during the 2012–13 season, during which he worked on a pig farm for several weeks.{{cite news|last=Lawton|first=James|title=James Lawton: Ronnie O'Sullivan is no trouble... his brilliance is a joy to behold|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/james-lawton-ronnie-osullivan-is-no-trouble-his-brilliance-is-a-joy-to-behold-8606848.html|work=The Independent|publisher=Independent Print Limited|access-date=12 October 2013|date=7 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211050203/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/james-lawton-ronnie-osullivan-is-no-trouble-his-brilliance-is-a-joy-to-behold-8606848.html|archive-date=11 December 2013|url-status=live}} He enjoys running,{{cite news|last=McRae|first=Donald|title=How Ronnie O'Sullivan is trying to run off 'them demons'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/apr/14/ronnie-osullivan-exclusive-interview-snooker|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=7 May 2013|date=14 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204000746/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/apr/14/ronnie-osullivan-exclusive-interview-snooker|archive-date=4 December 2013|url-status=live}} and has achieved a personal best of 34 minutes and 54 seconds for 10 km races, which ranked him in the top 1,500 10 km runners in the UK in 2008.{{cite web|title=Athlete Profile: Ronnie O'Sullivan|url=http://www.thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=38667|work=Power of 10|access-date=7 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219095039/http://thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=38667|archive-date=19 December 2012|url-status=live}} He enjoys cooking,{{Cite AV media|people=Ronnie O'Sullivan and Paul Golder|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan – back in the studio|date=12 May 2014|access-date=18 May 2014|publisher=Phoenix FM|medium=radio broadcast|time=40:50|url=http://www.phoenixfm.com/2014/05/14/ronnie-osullivan-back-in-the-studio/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518030904/http://www.phoenixfm.com/2014/05/14/ronnie-osullivan-back-in-the-studio/|archive-date=18 May 2014|url-status=live}} and appeared on the BBC's Saturday Kitchen in December 2014 and February 2021.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/30462033|title=O'Sullivan makes appearance on Saturday Kitchen/|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=11 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222064253/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/30462033|archive-date=22 February 2015|url-status=live}} He also enjoys motor racing, and has appeared on series 4 of Top Gear.{{cite web|url=http://www.pressoffice.suzuki.co.uk/LianaTopGear/|title=Suzuki Liana features in Top Gear's|publisher=Suzuki|access-date=14 August 2009|date=14 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100121161438/http://www.pressoffice.suzuki.co.uk/LianaTopGear/|archive-date=21 January 2010}}{{Citation |title=Top Gear – Series 4: Episode 4 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p03rds6v/top-gear-series-4-episode-4 |language=en-GB |access-date=7 May 2022}} He is a supporter of Arsenal FC.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2006/may/20/weekend7.weekend3|title=Last weekend: Ronnie O'Sullivan in London|first=Ronnie|last=O'Sullivan|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=1 May 2013|date=20 May 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204071836/http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2006/may/20/weekend7.weekend3|archive-date=4 December 2013|url-status=live}}

Despite a self-professed interest in Islam, O'Sullivan denied media reports that said he had converted to the religion in 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.smart-web.cz/danny/ronnie/index.php?nid=1380&lid=CZ&oid=139455|title=Snooker's Ronnie on love, life and drugs|publisher=Smart Web|access-date=14 June 2007|date=16 November 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221224542/http://www.smart-web.cz/danny/ronnie/index.php?nid=1380&lid=CZ&oid=139455|archive-date=21 December 2008}}{{cite news|title=O'Sullivan denies Muslim claim|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3167188.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=12 September 2011|date=6 October 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116090941/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/3167188.stm|archive-date=16 January 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Hattenstone|first=Simon|title=O'Sullivan denies conversion to Islam|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/oct/03/snooker.simonhattenstone|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=12 September 2011|date=3 October 2003|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204030908/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/oct/03/snooker.simonhattenstone|archive-date=4 February 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/snooker/ronnie_osullivan_interview.shtml|title=Rocket Man: Ronnie O'Sullivan interview|publisher=BBC South Yorkshire|access-date=6 May 2008|date=27 April 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511093612/http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/snooker/ronnie_osullivan_interview.shtml|archive-date=11 May 2008|url-status=live}} He has also espoused an interest in Buddhism,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/oct/31/snooker.features|title=Pocket calculator|work=The Observer|access-date=14 August 2009|date=31 October 2004|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015161249/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/oct/31/snooker.features|archive-date=15 October 2013|url-status=live}} having spent many lunchtimes at the London Buddhist Centre in Bethnal Green. He has said he does not have a firm commitment to any religion.{{cite episode|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan|series=Inside Sport|network=BBC|station=BBC World News|airdate=8 December 2008|minutes=20|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/inside_sport/7772610.stm|access-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219005830/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/inside_sport/7772610.stm|archive-date=19 December 2008|url-status=live}}

O'Sullivan was made an OBE in the New Year Honours list in 2016, for services to snooker.{{cite web |date=30 December 2015 |title=O'Sullivan Awarded OBE |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/osullivan-awarded-obe/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128095018/http://www.worldsnooker.com/osullivan-awarded-obe/ |archive-date=28 January 2016 |access-date=18 January 2016}}{{cite web |date=6 May 2016 |title='Rocket' Ronnie O'Sullivan To Receive OBE At Buckingham Palace | HuffPost UK News |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/05/06/rocket-ronnie-o-sullivan-to-receive-obe-at-buckingham-palace_n_9859704.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216065117/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/05/06/rocket-ronnie-o-sullivan-to-receive-obe-at-buckingham-palace_n_9859704.html |archive-date=16 February 2023 |accessdate=3 May 2022 |publisher=Huffingtonpost.co.uk}}

O'Sullivan has been a supporter of the Labour Party,{{cite web|last=O'Sullivan|first=Ronnie|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan: Why Jeremy Corbyn's a real contender, and my plans for 'pure snooker'|url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/jeremy-corbyn-would-be-a-labour-leader-who-cares-about-the-poor.-what-s-so-wrong-about-that_sto4843768/story.shtml|work=Eurosport|date=4 August 2015|access-date=25 October 2024}}{{cite web|last=Nolan|first=Megan|title=How Ronnie O’Sullivan Found Politics|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-ronnie-osullivan-found-politics/|work=Vice|date=22 May 2017|access-date=25 October 2024}} but in June 2024, he endorsed Faiza Shaheen, the independent candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green, in the 2024 General Election.{{Cite web |last=Cowburn |first=Ashley |date=2024-06-17 |title=Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan on who he's voting for in General Election |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/snooker-legend-ronnie-osullivan-backs-33047806 |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=The Mirror |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Penna |first=Dominic |date=2024-06-17 |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan backs Left-wing candidate against Labour |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/06/17/ronnie-osullivan-snooker-labour-chingford-faiza-corbyn-ids/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}

In June 2023 he was the guest for BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. An extended version of the programme was broadcast in October 2024. His book choice was Running with the Kenyans by Adharanand Finn, his luxury item was a painting set and his favourite disc was "That's All" by Genesis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0023qjw|title=BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Ronnie O'Sullivan - Extended Edit|website=BBC}}

On 31 October 2024, O'Sullivan obtained Hong Kong residency under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme.{{cite news |title=Ronnie O’Sullivan takes up Hong Kong residency as part of quality migrant scheme |url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3284581/snooker-star-ronnie-osullivan-gets-hong-kong-residency-part-quality-migrant-scheme |work=South China Morning Post |date=31 October 2024 |language=en}}

{{Reflist|group=nb}}

{{main|Maximum and century breaks made by Ronnie O'Sullivan}}

O'Sullivan has completed 15 maximum breaks in professional competition, from his first in the 1997 World Snooker Championship against Mick Price{{cite web|title=Archive: Rocket's fastest 147|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/26768654|publisher=BBC|date=21 April 2014|access-date=16 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118091017/http://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/26768654|archive-date=18 January 2017|url-status=live}} to his 2018 English Open maximum against Allan Taylor.{{cite web|title=Rocket Fire Magic Maximum|date=17 October 2018|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/rocket-fires-magic-maximum/|access-date=17 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017203306/http://www.worldsnooker.com/rocket-fires-magic-maximum/|archive-date=17 October 2018|url-status=live}}

His first official maximum in 1997, completed in 5 minutes and 8 seconds, holds the record for the fastest maximum break achieved in competitive play. Initially, Guinness World Records recorded the time at 5 minutes and 20 seconds,{{cite web |title=Fastest 147 break in snooker |date=21 April 1997 |publisher=Guinness World Records |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/fastest-147-break-in-snooker/ |access-date=25 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621100656/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/fastest-147-break-in-snooker/ |archive-date=21 June 2018 |url-status=live }} but subsequent evidence has suggested that the BBC started the timer too early on the break.{{cite news |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan's fastest maximum in history was faster than official time |date=28 April 2017 |publisher=Eurosport |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/world-championship/2016-2017/ronnie-osullivans-fastest-maximum-in-history-was-faster-than-official-time_sto6146498/story.shtml |access-date=25 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311021132/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/world-championship/2016-2017/ronnie-osullivans-fastest-maximum-in-history-was-faster-than-official-time_sto6146498/story.shtml |archive-date=11 March 2018 |url-status=live }} Depending on the timing methodology used, the break took between 5 minutes 8 seconds and 5 minutes 15 seconds;{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Tippett |title=The Greatest Break in Snooker History Was Even Better Than Anyone Realized |date=27 April 2017 |publisher=Deadspin |url=https://deadspin.com/the-greatest-break-in-snooker-history-was-even-better-t-1794695566 |access-date=25 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426075929/https://deadspin.com/the-greatest-break-in-snooker-history-was-even-better-t-1794695566 |archive-date=26 April 2018 |url-status=live }} both World Snooker and Guinness World Records now officially acknowledge the shorter time.

O'Sullivan also holds the record for the total number of century breaks, compiling more than 1,200 in professional competition. He scored his 1,200th century in a second-round match against Hossein Vafaei at the 2023 World Snooker Championship.{{cite news |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan rockets past Hossein Vafaei at Crucible with session to spare |date=22 April 2023 |work=The Guardian |agency=PA Media |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/22/ronnie-osullivan-rockets-past-hossein-vafaei-at-crucible-with-session-to-spare |access-date=22 April 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425225909/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/22/ronnie-osullivan-rockets-past-hossein-vafaei-at-crucible-with-session-to-spare }} At the 2022 Scottish Open, O'Sullivan scored a century in 3 minutes and 34 seconds—just 3 seconds slower than the fastest televised century break, made by Tony Drago in 1996.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/63784265|newspaper=BBC|title=Scottish Open: Ronnie O'Sullivan misses fastest TV century break by three seconds

|date=28 November 2022}}

{{portal|Cue sports}}

• Professional snooker career of Ronnie O'Sullivan
• Maximum and century breaks made by Ronnie O'Sullivan
• Ronnie O'Sullivan: The Edge of Everything

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• {{cite book|last1=O'Sullivan|first1=Ronnie|last2=Hattenstone|first2=Simon|title=Ronnie: The Autobiography of Ronnie O'Sullivan|edition=rev.|year=2004|publisher=Orion|location=London|isbn=0-7528-5880-7|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/ronnieautobiogra0000osul}}
• {{cite book|last1=O'Sullivan|first1=Ronnie|last2=Hattenstone|first2=Simon|title=Running: The Autobiography|year=2013|publisher=Orion|location=London|isbn=978-0-7528-9880-3}}

{{Commons category|Ronnie O'Sullivan}}

• {{WST player}}
• [http://www.snooker.org/plr/Bio/rosullivan.shtml Ronnie O'Sullivan] at Snooker.org
• {{IMDb name}}

{{Ronnie O'Sullivan}}

{{World snooker champions}}

{{UK Championship winners}}

{{Masters winners}}

{{Snooker world number ones}}

{{Snooker player of the year}}

{{1996 European Mosconi Cup team}}

{{1997 European Mosconi Cup team}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Osullivan, Ronnie}}

Category:1975 births

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Wordsley

Category:English snooker players

Category:Masters (snooker) champions

Category:UK champions (snooker)

Category:English pool players

Category:English people of Irish descent

Category:English people of Italian descent

Category:British people of Sicilian descent

Category:Winners of the professional snooker world championship

Category:World number one snooker players

Category:People from Chigwell

Category:Sportspeople from Essex

Category:People educated at Wanstead High School

Category:Labour Party (UK) people

Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire

Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Hong Kong