Snooker: Hendry's seven titles are out of reach, says O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan does not believe he will ever eclipse Steve Davis's or Stephen Hendry's achievements in snooker. The new world champion is taking six months off after winning his fourth Crucible crown in Sheffield on Monday. The "Rocket" beat Ali Carter 18-11 in the final but does not think he has enough time to match Davis's six world titles or Hendry's record seven crowns.

"I wouldn't say snooker needs me, but I do think snooker is better with me in it than out of it," O'Sullivan said. "Take Tiger Woods, if he's not playing I'm not interested in a golf tournament. I don't care if he is 10 over, I want to watch him because he can do things other players can't.

"I'm not putting myself in that category, because he's an unbelievable sportsman in the top two or three of all time, with Muhammad Ali, Michael Schumacher, iconic people who have taken their sport to an unbelievable level.

"But my chances of winning tournaments are getting less and less. I've won four world titles, but seven is a mammoth total. Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis were special kinds of people. To even think about emulating them is dream world."

O'Sullivan celebrated his world-title win with his four-year-old son Ronnie Jnr. Despite pocketing a £250,000 top prize, the 36-year-old wants to spend time with his family as he takes a break from the sport. O'Sullivan also has a young daughter, Lily, and added: "I am almost more pleased for Ronnie, Lily and their mum than I am for myself. I love being a dad. I just want to spend more time with my family."