It was a hug that seemed to stretch on for all eternity, becoming a bit awkward if Judd Trump’s restless hand patting a tearful Ronnie O’Sullivan ’s back was anything to go by.
Lasting over a minute on Monday night, the very public embrace between two besuited blokes centre stage of Sheffield’s stuffy Crucible Theatre, after Ronnie beat Trump 13-18 in the final of the World Championship, exuded a depth of emotion rarely seen in sport. And certainly not here, in snooker.
But on the other hand, this was Ronnie ‘the rocket’ O’Sullivan who had just won his seventh World Championship, equalling Stephen Hendry’s world record, the oldest to do so at 46, a player who has always struggled to guard his feelings, be they high or rock bottom - they’re rarely middling.
