Ronnie O'Sullivan has made snooker history by achieving the highest-ever break of 153 in the professional game.
The seven-time world champion cleared the table for this record-breaking break in the first frame of his 5-0 win over Ryan Day at the World Open in China on Friday.

What happened?

O'Sullivan started with a free ball and a black, then potted 15 reds, 13 blacks, and two pinks to reach the colors, which he cleared under huge pressure.
He smiled and laughed as he shook hands with Day, and appeared confused as he looked at the scoreboard.
“I was just thinking about trying to win the frame, you know,” O'Sullivan said, “and then it got to a certain point and I did realize and I was like, ‘It seems there’s too many balls on the table so something's not quite right.'”

Why it matters for Ronnie O'Sullivan

This achievement adds to O'Sullivan's long list of records, including the most world championships, most major titles, and most century breaks.
He is tied with Stephen Hendry for the record of most world championships and has the most ranking titles with 41.
O'Sullivan has more than 1,300 century breaks and 17 maximum breaks, including the quickest in 5 minutes, 8 seconds at the world championship in 1997.

What comes next?

O'Sullivan's latest feat has drawn praise from fellow snooker players, including Australian snooker player Neil Robertson, who posted on X: “The best ever and the best there ever will be.”
Robertson's comment reflects the high regard in which O'Sullivan is held in the snooker community.
As O'Sullivan continues to break records, he remains a dominant force in the sport, with his excitement and buzz for the game driving him to achieve great things.
And with this record-breaking break, O'Sullivan has cemented his position as one of the greatest snooker players of all time.
O'Sullivan's age, 50, is not slowing him down, as he continues to compete at the highest level and push the boundaries of what is possible in the sport.
The previous biggest break in competition was 148, made by Jamie Burnett in qualifying for the UK Championship in 2004.
O'Sullivan's record-breaking break is a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport.