Ronnie O'Sullivan's telling comments after first snooker win since getting married

Ronnie O'Sullivan believes he produced his finest snooker display in three years during his most recent win at the Shanghai Masters. The Rocket secured a 6-5 victory over Barry Hawkins in the tournament's last 16 earlier this week.

He battled through a nervy start to the match to establish a 5-3 lead before Hawkins fought back to square things at 5-5, only for the seven-time world champion to seal the deciding frame. O'Sullivan declared afterwards that it was his strongest performance since claiming the 2022 world championship. And it's hardly surprising that a player whose greatest competition in snooker has often been himself is flourishing when things are running smoothly away from the sport. The 49-year-old married long-term partner Laila Rouass in east London last month. The couple had announced their split last year, bringing their on-off 13-year relationship to an end before reigniting their romance.

Footballers' Wives actress Laila, 54, took to Instagram to post a picture of her smiling alongside the snooker icon outside St George's Town Hall in Shadwell, east London, as confetti was thrown on them.

The mental boost O'Sullivan has received is clear to see, having taken a three-month break from snooker earlier this year due to concerns over his health, along with frustrations with his form that saw him snap his favourite cue in January.

Following his win over Hawkins - his first victory since the wedding - O'Sullivan said: "I'm just pleased to have won the match. Barry played pretty good. I played probably the best I have played for maybe since I won the World Championship in 2022. That was a good performance. I could have lost it as well.

"The table played OK with the humidity. I don't know how it will be on Thursday, Friday or Saturday but if it stays the same, it's good. Usually it gets harder and harder as the week goes on. Who knows? If it stays like this, it's OK." Unfortunately, No. 6 seed O'Sullivan was knocked out by Kyren Wilson 6-3 in Thursday's quarter-finals.

Yet, his recent resurgence comes despite him expressing doubts in April over whether he could rediscover his best form. O'Sullivan very much seemed to have lost his passion for the sport before this year's World Championship, where he suffered a 17-7 semi-final defeat to Zhao Xintong.

Still, he confirmed that he wasn't prepared to walk away from snooker just yet, setting himself a deadline of two to four more years "to try and figure it out". He said: "I have to try and repair myself and just try and find how I used to play snooker.

"It's a massive rebuilding process and probably the last one I'll ever have to do as a snooker player. Do I think I can do it? Probably not if I'm being honest."

Fans of the Rocket will hope he has put that all behind him now, with O'Sullivan appearing re-energised and seemingly benefitting from a healthy romantic life.