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| |  Tuesday, 8 May, 2001, 16:24 GMT 17:24 UK O'Sullivan wants family presentation Ronnie takes the applause from the Crucible crowd Ronnie O'Sullivan is planning to take the Embassy World Championship trophy behind bars so his father can share in his glory. O'Sullivan, who dedicated victory to his dad, hopes to have a reunion later this week with Ronnie senior, who is serving a life sentence for murder on the Isle of Sheppey. The pair spoke in an emotional phone call on Tuesday morning just hours after he had defeated John Higgins 18-14 to lift the World Snooker crown for the first time. O'Sullivan said: "My dad was on the phone at eight o'clock this morning but I didn't get in until seven so I didn't speak to him then.
"I spoke to him a bit later and he was very proud. "What I would love to do is take the world trophy into prison for him to see if the authorities will allow me to do that. "I've got an exhibition match on Wednesday and Matchroom League games on Saturday and Sunday so I'll try to get and see him on Thursday or Friday if I am allowed." Before Monday's triumph, O'Sullivan, who was treated for depression last summer, had never been able to keep his game together for the 17-day marathon at Sheffield and had lost three previous semi-finals.
He admitted that it would have left a mental scar had he been unable to win the 2001 tournament, particularly after being better prepared than ever before for a tilt at glory. "It was something in my mind, just being able to break that barrier that players like Jimmy had not been able to manage," he explained. "I didn't want people saying 'He's the best player never to win it.' "But now the fear I might never win it has been taken away. I'm glad I can put that to bed now and move on. Ronnie playing on Reflecting on his win over Higgins, O'Sullivan continued: "It feels blinding. "I didn't think I could ever feel so good about something in my life. "Winning the world title means everything to me. "But I will keep my feet firmly on the ground and I've got some good people around me who won't let it go to my head.
O'Sullivan also insisted he intends to carry on playing despite recent hints about quitting or only playing in major tournaments. "If you ask me now I am definitely going to be playing next season," he said. O'Sullivan added he plans to use this summer to increase his fitness and raise money for various charities. He said: "I want to put something back into society. "I will be taking part in the London to Brighton cycle race and the Harlow half marathon to raise money for charity." | |
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