YOU LAST DANCER
Snooker’s answer to Michael Jordan creates perfect ending for his fly-on-the wall film
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN was delighted he got his Last Dance moment with a fairytale seventh Betfred World Championship.
The Rocket tore up the history books as he finally levelled Stephen Hendry’s Crucible record 22 years on from his maiden world title.
World No.1 O’Sullivan had a documentary crew chronicling his chase for seventh heaven.
And they captured the “perfect ending” as blubbing O’Sullivan celebrated his career-defining moment with his family.
The weeping Rocket was overcome with emotion after his career-long ambition was finally achieved and he put the GOAT debate to bed once and for all.
O’Sullivan said: “I’m good with pressure, I can pretty much handle it.
“In some ways I think the documentary might have inspired me. I’ve always had things happen to me where they just seem to work out. Things seem to fall into place so I’m not surprised it ended like that.
“I loved that documentary The Last Dance.
“It’s a bit of a dream ending, the guys have been following me six or seven months. You couldn’t have envisaged this. They’ve had a result really.
“Hopefully people watch it and enjoy it and get to see everything. It will have a good ending as well.”
The Rocket was inspired to make the show after watching Michael Jordan’s journey with the Chicago Bulls on Netflix.
But while the basketball legend had other greats to push him along, O’Sullivan has done it the hard way in a solo sport that takes incredible mental strength.
The Rocket has long had influential, calming and wise people in his corner.
And getting psychiatrist Steve Peters on board in 2011 when he was on the verge of quitting proved a legacysaving masterstroke.
The Chigwell ace has won four of his seven Crucible crowns since. And O’Sullivan added: “It’s harder, it’s definitely harder. I said to Steve Peters that I wished I was in a team sport.
“At least then you can take a week off or be rested for a bit. You can have that relationship with your manager where you can kind of pick and choose when to play.
“In an individual sport you’re kind of forced to play when you maybe feel like you don’t want to. It’s tougher being in a single sport but I chose this sport and there’s not a lot I can do about it now. I have to accept it.”