Wu Yize: New snooker world champion reveals text exchange with Ronnie O'Sullivan during sensational final win over Shaun Murphy
Wu Yize recovers from 12-10 down in Crucible final to ultimately beat Shaun Murphy 18-17, becoming the second-youngest world snooker champion in history; the 22-year-old said: "Ronnie texted me telling me to stay focused, to be calm and also to try to play to my own strengths"
Tuesday 5 May 2026 16:05, UK
New snooker world champion Wu Yize says seven-time winner Ronnie O'Sullivan texted him some advice at a crucial stage in his Crucible final against Shaun Murphy.
The 22-year-old beat Murphy 18-17 in a final-frame decider on Monday night to become the second-youngest world champion ever. Stephen Hendry, who is tied with O'Sullivan for the record number of world titles, clinched his first in 1990 when 21.
Wu began Monday with a healthy 10-7 lead over Murphy after getting the better of Sunday's opening two sessions, but then proceeded to lose the first five frames of the afternoon as Murphy went 12-10 up.
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It briefly looked like Murphy could win all eight frames in the session, before Wu stepped up to stop the rot and win the final three, restoring his lead into the evening.
"I wasn't playing really that bad, but I wasn't focused to do what I do best," Wu told the Snooker Club Podcast. "I went out to try to give myself some time to cool down.
"Ronnie texted me telling me to stay focused, to be calm and also to try to play to my own strengths. I was really happy I was able to do that."
'The Rocket' has been something of a mentor for Wu over the last season, working on the practice table with him ahead of his maiden ranking success at the International Championship in November.
O'Sullivan predicted that Wu would become world champion and world No 1 in the near future, with the first of those achievements now ticked off.
"He's been helping me so much," Wu said. "He taught me how to handle the situation during the match, how to handle different situations on the table.
"It's definitely experience I've learned from him, I benefit from the time I spent with him a lot."
Speaking in February at the World Grand Prix, O'Sullivan said of Wu: "If I like them, I pass knowledge on. If I don't, they don't get two minutes of my time. I choose the ones I feel a bit of a connection to.
"I think Wu Yize is going to be world No 1, I'd give him three years, definitely going to be world champion very, very soon, phenomenal player."
He added: "I practiced with him for two or three days in Hong Kong not long ago and it's not until you practice with someone that you can really appreciate how good they are. After day two I was like, 'this kid is really special'.
"I'd just love to go and see him fulfil his potential as a professional. He's only 22. I expect him to do a lot of great things in snooker."
