An emotional Ronnie O'Sullivan dedicated his second Embassy world snooker
title to his jailed father Ronnie senior after demolishing Graeme Dott 18-8 in a
one-sided final at The Crucible.
O'Sullivan intends to visit his father this week in Long Lartin prison near
Evesham where he is serving a life sentence for murder.
The Rocket was in total control once he had recovered from the shock of losing
the first five frames to the 200-1 outsider at the start of the tournament.
O'Sullivan said: "I went emotional during the match as well and when it went
to 14-8 I was thinking of my dad watching the final on television in prison.
"He travelled all around the country with me since I was nine years of age
and we visited every Little Chef up and down the country!
"I am sure he will be sitting in his cell tonight chuffed to bits. I can't
wait to go and visit him - and this title was for him.
"I don't think I'd be able to ring him tonight. It's a Bank Holiday. I think
they bang them up a bit earlier today. I won't be taking the trophy in. Other
people are allowed to have their visits and I don't think it is right to cause a
big thing.
"I just want to go and see my dad, chat to him and be in his company. That's
the most important thing."
O'Sullivan paid tribute to the efforts of coach Frank Adamson and mentor Ray
Reardon, the six-times world champion who has been working with him this
season.
He said: "It was a good performance. The last few matches have been pretty
comfortable. I feel I'm ready to go again. I feel quite good.
"I know I can play better. I know there is room for improvement and I will
keep going to improve.
"My consistency has come from getting a better technique. It was a bit rough
around the edges and it's improved with thanks to my coach Frank Adamson.
"I had to make some changes. He has helped me to keep motivated - and I'd
also like to say thanks to working with Ray.
"I am more excited about working with Ray than winning the world
championship. This is a great tournament to win.
"I'm just thinking what fun I am going to have with him and I have got my
appetite back for snooker. It's been there all year really.
"Ever since from 8-8 with Andy Hicks in the second round Ray has had an
input. I phoned him up and we had a chat then.
"You can see by the scorelines in some of the matches what sort of effect it
has had on my game."
O'Sullivan also produced a light-hearted touch at the end of the final by
wearing a pair of fangs, although he insisted this was not as a compliment to
Reardon who was known as 'Dracula' when winning six world titles.
He said: "A friend of mine asked me to stick a pair of fangs in when I won in
2001 and I didn't so I don't like going back on promises and I did it this time
for him.
"It wasn't for Ray Reardon that I did it. Ray has got one of the best set of
teeth in your life!"
Dott said: "I was in dreamland after winning the first five frames. I might
have felt even better if it had been the first to six! But it was the first to
18.
"But Ronnie is phenomenally good. His safety is unbelievable. People go on
about his potting but his safety is superb as well.
"At least I made it to four sessions. I didn't want to be annihilated. For
two sessions I've given him a game.
"I was still happy with 9-7 but Ronnie is a superb player and the last
session was a waste of time. The game was over by then.
"Ronnie is getting as good as anyone there has ever been. He has got
everything. The guy is a genius."