Many viewers, including former world champion Stephen Hendry, were taken aback by Ronnie O'Sullivan's "bullish" interview after he breezed into the second round of the World Snooker Championship.
O'Sullivan has been in the form of his life of late. He has won five tournaments already this season, including the UK Championship, the Shanghai Masters and the Riyadh Season World Masters.
And on Thursday afternoon, he started his Crucible campaign with a convincing 10-1 win over Jackson Page as he bids to claim a record-breaking eighth World Championship title.
Advert
It was a typically cool, calm and collected display from O'Sullivan and, in his post-game interview with the BBC, he sounded supremely confident about his chances in Sheffield.
"I know the ability is there it is just finding the right formula sometimes," he said.
"I have already broken the rules for snooker, I am still going at 48, 49 and I am seeing what is possible now. What is possible in this game and how long can you keep going for?
"Can I win a World Championship at 50, who knows? I am probably the only player able to do that but let's see, let's have an experiment.
Advert
"To do what I have done in this season, I have done over a whole career. I have been doing it for 30 years. I have had the greatest career of any snooker player.
"How many people can say they have been the best or most successful in their job ever? I have to really give myself a pat on the back because I don't, I am hard on myself.
"Nobody has achieved what i have achieved on a table statistically. What is possible? I don't know. Statistically probably this would be [my best season] but playing wise, definitely not."
O'Sullivan also said he was feeling "as good on the practice tables in the last couple of weeks as I have in the last six to seven years" as he prepares to face Ryan Day in the next round.
Advert
"I played and cued well which was good. Jackson is a really good player," he added.
"I knew I had to be on my game, one of the hardest first-round draws I could have got but I was pleased with my performance.
"I just play. The harder the test the more I see it as a challenge.
"I have trained hard all my life, I am mentally tough and ready to play whenever.
Advert
"I played terrible for two years but I have won and I know how to win. That is something I am blessed with.
"I haven't really cued smoothly but I have started working with Nic Barrow a coach who knows my game inside out and I decided I can't coach myself anymore and I have felt as good on the practice tables in the last couple of weeks as I have in the last six to seven years."
Stephen Hendry, a fellow seven-time world champion, was impressed by O'Sullivan's reaction to his latest victory.
Advert
"It's probably as bullish as I've ever heard Ronnie in an interview about his own achievements and how he sees his standing in the game and I like it," he said.
"I don't like it when he plays it down about what he's achieved and how good he is.
"He's the greatest there's ever been. Why not tell everyone he's the greatest there's ever been?"
Here's how fans on social media reacted to O'Sullivan's interview.
One said: "It’s great hearing Ronnie O’Sullivan talk about himself like this. No sign of slowing down," while another commented: "Good to actually hear him not playing his talents down for a change."
A third wrote: "Have you ever heard Ronnie O'Sullivan quite so bullish about his own achievements and ability? A clear desire that he wants to break even more boundaries in snooker and win world titles into his 50s."
A fourth added: "Sounds supremely confident. There's a lot of snooker to be played, but don't bet against him playing in the final on May Bank Holiday."
Featured Image Credit: BBC Sport - Getty ImagesTopics: Snooker, World Snooker Championship, Ronnie OSullivan
