Ronnie O’Sullivan hails late Paul Hunter on anniversary of Masters triumph - ‘Beckham of snooker’

Updated 08/01/2024 at 10:44 GMT

With the Masters in full swing at Alexandra Palace, seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke warmly about the late Paul Hunter. Hunter won the third and last of his Masters titles on February 8, 2004, and O'Sullivan feels that the man nicknamed the 'Beckham of the Baize' was part of a golden era of the sport during the mid-noughties. Hunter died on October 9, 2006 aged just 27.

'He’s going for 10 of each of the Triple Crown' - White reveals O'Sullivan's career target

Ronnie O’Sullivan has paid a glowing tribute to the late Paul Hunter on the 20th anniversary of his third Masters triumph.

Hunter beat O'Sullivan 10-9 in a thrilling final in 2004 to win the title for the third time in four years.

Just two years later Hunter died after a battle with cancer, aged just 27.

Shanghai Masters

Who does O'Sullivan face in quest for record fifth straight Shanghai Masters title?

17/06/2024 at 14:39

With the Masters taking place this week, O'Sullivan says Hunter will "never be forgotten" and "transcended the game" with his "star power".

“Paul was an unbelievable talent,” said O’Sullivan in an interview with the Mirror.

“He definitely had that star power and transcended the game. He was the Beckham of the snooker, wasn’t he? He was a good-looking boy. He always had a smile on his face and was a good lad.

“He was brilliant for the game; he was a lovely lad and had a lovely family. I had some good times and some good memories with Paul. He will never be forgotten, all the players loved him. He will always be in the hearts of the snooker players and everybody who knew him."

Seven-time world champion O'Sullivan believes Hunter was part of an all-time great group of players along with Mark Williams, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins and Matthew Stevens.

Snooker vodcast: 'We miss Paul Hunter... he would have been world champion'

"I've always said that snooker enjoyed a golden era when Hendry, Higgins, Williams, Stevens, the great Paul Hunter and myself were battling it out," he said.

"I truly believe that was the best top six ever."

The Rocket’s focus this week will be on securing an eighth Masters title.

He begins that quest against Ding Junhui on Monday afternoon, live on Eurosport and discovery+.

O'Sullivan is aiming to go for "the three eights" after already managing to win eight World Championship titles and having secured an eighth UK Championship with victory over Ding last month.

“It was nice when I had 7, 7, 7, and now I’ve got 7, 7, 8. So it'd be nice to go 8, 8, 8 - the three eights,” he told Eurosport.

“I suppose that’s the sort of motivational thing to try and get another Masters, try and maybe get another Worlds. I said I was happy with one World Championship, one UK, one Masters; over the moon.

“So, when we start talking about going beyond that, I sort of just see everything as just a bonus really; a nice bit of icing on the cake.

“8, 8, 8 - let’s go for it.”

- - -

Stream the 2024 Masters live on Eurosport and discovery+

Snooker