Prompted by a tactful query from the ever-professional Hazel Irvine, Ronnie O’Sullivan paid a heartfelt and beneficiant tribute to Paul Hunter on Sunday evening after profitable his document seventh Masters title.
There will probably be one thing extra substantial on right here later immediately in regards to the Rocket’s achievement, however I’d similar to to dwell for a second on the Leeds man who died simply over 10 years in the past now on the tragically younger age of simply 27 – and his courageous mother and father Alan and Krystina.
The re-naming of the trophy in Paul’s honour was a becoming and overdue gesture from World Snooker, and credit score to chairman Barry Hearn and others concerned for realising it.
The primary time the trophy was offered after final April’s choice was at all times going to be an emotional event, and extra so as soon as it was determined that Paul’s father Alan would current it.
His mother and father are two those that have executed their grieving primarily in personal away from the general public gaze, and solely those that have suffered the identical horrible loss may probably think about what it should be wish to lose a treasured youngster in such circumstances.
World Snooker, the BBC, Eurosport and the written media did all the things they might to pay the proper respect with the suitable tone to Paul, not just for his achievements within the match with three thrilling wins, however as a person.
However regardless of how a lot care was taken, and regardless of how a lot these efforts had been appreciated by Paul’s household, there will need to have been features of the night that had been one thing of an ordeal for them with reminiscences of their beloved son flooding again.
I had a really temporary phrase with Alan within the after-final get together earlier than heading residence. He had proven such dignity all evening, and admitted that the night had been troublesome at instances for each of them.
All you could possibly actually say was that hopefully he had discovered the night a becoming tribute for his common son, and say as soon as once more how a lot he was missed by the snooker neighborhood in addition to his household and pals.
You’ll be able to solely communicate finest from your individual experiences and I feel each colleague would agree that Hunter was a pleasure to interview, and introduced a box-office glamour to the sport unmatched by any participant apart from O’Sullivan in recent times.
It confirmed monumental braveness from the Hunter household participating within the proceedings final evening, I’m positive handing over the trophy to a participant that had lots of time for Paul and was at his funeral meant one thing, and if O’Sullivan took the match honours then for me Paul’s mother and father weren’t far behind.
