Mark Williams holds back tears after beating Ronnie O’Sullivan in final | Other | Sport
Mark Williams was visibly emotional after beating Ronnie O’Sullivan to win the Tour Championship final on Sunday night. Williams was a 10-5 victor in a ‘Class of 92’ final in Manchester despite having trailed 5-3 coming into the evening session. The 49-year-old, playing in his first ranking final against O’Sullivan since 2000, could be seen holding back tears during the post-match interview.
The Rocket showed his class as he waxed lyrical about the veteran Welshman. Williams was noticeably fighting back his emotions as his three sons stood to his right. And then handed the microphone and asked about his 26th ranking triumph, the Welsh Potting Machine said: “Yeah not bad. I played well all day.
“I was 3-1 up, then I went 5-3 down. He played unbelievable. I thought, sometimes you’ve just got to hold your hands up and admit your opponent is too good. But I took it to him, I played well. He [one son] comes everywhere. These two only come up to watch Ronnie to be honest with you.
“They said they were supporting me but they’re not really! The crowd has been fantastic all week, giving everybody great support. Thanks to everybody. I can’t believe I won to be honest.”
ITV interviewer Rob Walker then said: “I can tell there’s a little bit of emotion there Mark. You’re such a nice guy. The week has been spellbinding.
“You produced one of the greatest clearances we’ve ever seen to win the decider against Tom Ford and you’ve beaten the world’s number one, two and three this week. It’s been magnificent from you.”
To which Williams responded: “It’s not bad for a part timer! I’m a part-time pool player now. Yeah but what can I say? I never thought I was going to win tournaments at 48 and 49. I’ve just won another one.
“Who knows? The World Championship is around the corner. He’s the man to beat. You never know, I’ll try my best. Like Ronnie said, I’m a better all-round player now than I’ve ever been. Considering I don’t practice that much to be honest!
“I just try my absolute nuts off. I mean I can’t really say much, I’m just absolutely over the moon. To have all the family up here as well to watch is brilliant. I beat Judd Trump, Mark Allen, Ronnie O’Sullivan – the three best players in the world. I haven’t done it the easy way! I’ve won, not easy, but quite well.”
O’Sullivan lost all five evening frames but was top class in defeat. The world No. 1 said of his long-time rival Williams: “Listen I think he’s been the best player, the most consistent player for the last five years. The way he’s been hitting the ball, very rarely does he play a poor match.
“The way he’s played this week and the way he played tonight, yeah he’s just an amazing player. So talented. I think he’s better now than he’s ever been to be honest. He’s so compact and has got Lee Walker who he works very hard with. He just seems so strong.
“I tried. I gave it everything this afternoon to stay in the match. He’s just so consistent and so strong. You might get the better of him in one session but if you don’t keep playing top-level snooker, he’ll just eat you alive. I think I did well to get five frames to be honest with you!”
The seven-time world champion added: “I knew I had to do something so I just put everything into it. To keep trying to do that is not easy. The game has to come pretty comfortable and pretty easy. Like I said, for the last five years, Mark has been better at doing that than anybody.
“If he was to dedicate his whole life to it, he’d probably be No.1 in the world. But he doesn’t, he likes to play golf and chill out and enjoy his life. But he still don’t do bad for someone who just plays about with the sport.
“He’s a deserving winner, a fantastic player and probably the most talented snooker player I’ve ever seen. He deserves this victory.”
The World Snooker Championship is the next event on the World Snooker Tour, and begins April 20 at the Crucible in Sheffield. Williams and O’Sullivan will both hold hopes of ruling supreme in the most prestigious event in the sport.
