Snooker legends pay tribute to Ronnie O'Sullivan’s historic 153 break at 2026 World Open - 'A special moment for the game'

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John Higgins has headlined an all-star line-up of snooker legends paying tribute to Ronnie O'Sullivan’s historic 153 break at the 2026 World Open, describing it as a ”special moment” for the sport.

'Special moment for the game' - Top snooker stars react to O'Sullivan's record 153 break

Video credit: TNT Sports

O'Sullivan took advantage of a free ball black before going on to produce a stunning 147 against Ryan Day last March, taking his total for the frame to 153, the highest ever recorded in professional snooker.

The previous record was held by Jamie Burnett, who produced a 148 against Leo Fernandez during qualifying for the 2004 UK Championship.

Higgins and O'Sullivan are currently locked in a closely-fought thriller at the World Championship, with The Rocket leading 9-7 before the final session.

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The Wizard of Wishaw said he did not believe that his fellow Class of '92 member's 153 was even possible.

”I don’t think I have ever even had a chance of doing something like that,” Higgins said. ”It was an incredible moment, don’t get me wrong, but it was one of those things, everything has to fall into place for you to even have a chance at doing it.

”It was a special moment for the game, for someone to actually do a world record break. You don’t think it is possible, but it just goes to show you.”

'Very special moment!' - Watch O'Sullivan create history with highest ever professional break of 153

Video credit: TNT Sports

Neal Foulds has seen his fair share of historic moments during his career as a player and commentator.

The TNT Sports expert and commentator Dave Hendon provided commentary for O'Sullivan’s scintillating display against Day and he believes it was a privilege to watch history unfold.

”Hardly anyone in the game has seen it happen,” Foulds said. ”It may have happened once or twice in darkened practice rooms, but in big matches, no one has ever.

”To get over 147, once in the history of the game it ever took place, and that was in a qualifier.

”As he went on with the break, it became obvious that he was doing something very special.

”We were feeling really quite privileged to be a part of that, really. What it was like for Ronnie, I don’t know. He seemed to shrug it all off.

”The 153 is, in my opinion, one of the most special things I have had the pleasure of seeing in snooker.”

O'Sullivan went on to win the quarter-final clash with Day 5-0, but he lost the final of the tournament against Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 10-7.

Judd Trump believes that even O'Sullivan could not hide how delighted he was with the record.

”It is not often that you can see how happy he is with himself,” Trump said. ”He kind of gave it away that time; you could see how delighted he was."

”I think there are only a few things in snooker that he has not done, and I think it is something he probably never thought was going to happen. It has taken him 34 years to do it; that is how difficult it is."

Shaun Murphy believes that we are unlikely to see a 153 break ever again.

”Is there anything left in this game for Ronnie to do or achieve?” he said. ”There can’t be many records in the sport that don’t have his name attached.

”For everyone there in the arena, for everyone there watching, it was an incredible moment. We probably won’t see that type of thing again.”

You can watch every day of the 2026 World Snooker Championship live on TNT Sports. It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max

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