Ronnie O'Sullivan ready 'to climb the mountain' as he chases record eighth World Snooker Championship title

Ronnie O'Sullivan admits he is relishing the chance to start at the bottom and «climb the mountain» in his quest for a record eighth world title at the Crucible Theatre. In an exclusive interview with Eurosport on the cusp of the 47th World Championship in Sheffield, the defending world champion and world No. 1 said he was feeling «fresh and looking forward to it» ahead of his tournament opener.

Ad O'Sullivan will make a record 31st straight appearance at the sport's biggest event when he begins his latest campaign at 10am BST on Saturday morning chasing the £500,000 first prize. World ChampionshipWho has qualified for World Championship as last 32 line-up is confirmed?9 HOURS AGO He starts out as 4/1 tournament favourite and will discover his opponent when the last-32 draw is made on Thursday morning at 8:35am BST with the top 16 seeds paired alongside one of the 16 qualifiers from the English Institute of Sport. The snooker GOAT equalled Stephen Hendry's 1990s haul of seven Crucible titles with an 18-13 victory over Judd Trump in last year's final.

“Sometimes you’ve got to start again," said O'Sullivan. «You climb the mountain then you’ve got to go down to the bottom, you climb the mountain then go back down to the bottom. “You can’t just stay on top all the time.

For me, it’s just about consolidating and not losing the plot trying to stay on top all the time. It’s just not possible. “But I’m ready, I’m fresh and looking forward to it.» The Essex icon first lifted the trophy in 2001 courtesy of an 18-14 success against old rival John Higgins with his other victories coming in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022.