Ronnie O’Sullivan produced snooker from a different planet at times and while Barry Hawkins made a match of the final, this was always going to be the year of the Rocket.

O’Sullivan, the defending champion, claimed the fifth Crucible crown of his illustrious career in wrapping up an 18-12 win on Monday night.

But none of his previous four titles match this one for the remarkable nature of his achievement.

Twelve months ago he was untouchable in breezing to the title, this time around he was equally brilliant but done without a full season of match snooker behind him.

“This has to rank as one of my most amazing achievements,” said O’Sullivan.

“Barry played brilliantly, he has had an incredible season and there were moments where I thought that I was going to be in some real trouble.

“This evening Barry came out firing and I just though ‘Oh no’. People said this would be a procession but i know how talented Barry is and believe me it was hard out there, it may look easy but it's anything but.

“But since working with Steve Peters I have become a lot better at managing my emotions, I know that there are moments where I will not be at my best.

“But it’s about managing those moments and dominating when you have the chance and you are feeling it.”

The 37-year-old took a year of self-imposed absence from the sport before returning to Sheffield and while he showed signs of rustiness in his opening rounds, by the end he was back to his belligerent best.

Hawkins deserves a lot of credit for keeping it as close as he did but in the end there was no stopping O’Sullivan who fired in six centuries in the final, a record at the world championships.

During this fortnight O’Sullivan announced that he would not be back at next year’s world championships, regardless of the outcome, insisting he had not missed snooker while he was away.

But the fans’ favourite appears to have changed his mind somewhat as the draw has got to the business end and after the win he insisted that his love for the game remains as strong as ever.

“I do appreciate snooker and I love this game, being out there is great and it makes you think ‘what was I worried about?’" he added.

“But it’s the other stuff that comes with it, 17 days is a long old time and I have to say it was the waiting around that gets to you.

“But I still love the game and want to play in a few smaller events, that’s pure snooker for me not everything that comes with this.

“But who knows, I will have a better idea come January time about whether I will be back here, I will have to leave it open for now.”

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