Ronnie O’Sullivan was awarded the WPBSA Players’ Player of the Month for August 2025 following an extraordinary performance at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters — a recognition by his peers for what many consider one of the defining moments of his recent snooker career. (Ronnie O’Sullivan)

Here’s a breakdown of what he did, why it was so special, and how the vote played out:

What Ronnie Did in Jeddah

Two Maximums in One Match: In the semi‑final against Chris Wakelin, O’Sullivan made two 147 maximum breaks — the first frame and the seventh. These were his 16th and 17th competitive maximums. (WPBSA)

First Maximum Since 2018: He had not made an official 147 since the 2018 English Open, so these breaks marked a return to peak perfection. (WPBSA)

Oldest to Record a 147: At 49 years and 253 days, he became the oldest player ever to make a maximum break in competition. (Wikipedia)

Additional High Breaks: In the same semi‑final match, apart from the two 147s, he compiled total clearances of 142 and 134, along with other high runs. (livesnooker.com)

Reached the Final Despite Loss: After that performance, he made it to the final of the tournament, where he narrowly lost 10‑9 to Neil Robertson. Though he didn’t win the event, his week was marked by some of the most breathtaking snooker seen in recent months. (Wikipedia)

Why the Vote Went His Way

Peer Recognition: The WPBSA Players’ Player of the Month is voted by players themselves. O’Sullivan took 40% of the vote, narrowly beating Neil Robertson who got about 36%. (Ronnie O’Sullivan)

Tight Competition: It was a strong field — players like Robertson, plus others who won ranking events in August, were in the mix. That O’Sullivan won reflects how highly his fellow players rate the magnitude of his achievement. (TNT Sports)

What It Means

Legacy & Longevity: The feat underscored O’Sullivan’s sustained excellence, even as he nears 50. Making maximum breaks is hard at any age; doing so twice in one match and setting records affirms his status among snooker’s greatest.

Milestone Performance: While snooker is full of great moments, double 147s in a single session are exceptionally rare. It’s one of those performances that will be replayed, discussed, and remembered.

Inspirational: For other players — especially younger ones — it shows that even after decades at the top, one can still push boundaries, innovate, and amaze.

So, while he didn’t win the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, O’Sullivan’s performance gave snooker fans something unforgettable, and fellow competitors enough incentive to give him the August award. If you like, I can also compare how this ranks among his all‑time greatest performances.