Ronnie O'Sullivan has been called the 'Darth Vader of snooker' due to his past of rebelling against the sport's authorities.
2005 world champion Shaun Murphy has made the claim about the Rocket, while also declaring him the greatest player of all time.
O'Sullivan is currently attempting to win his record-extending eighth Masters title this week and has made it through to the last eight.
The 48-year-old is competing against Barry Hawkins in the quarter-final at Alexandra Palace on Thursday afternoon.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has been called the Darth Vader of snooker
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Murphy, who takes on Jack Lisowski in his quarter-final on Thursday evening, has given an honest verdict on O'Sullivan.
When asked by the BBC to sum up O'Sullivan in one word, Murphy quickly came to an answer.
He said: "I feel safe these days with the word I'm about to write: GOAT.
"He's had more wins, he has earned more money and had more centuries than any other player. I don't think you can make the argument any more."
Murphy says O'Sullivan makes snooker look 'too easy' and doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
He added: "He's incredible to watch. It's almost like he challenges himself when he's out there.
"Almost like this game is too easy. Almost like he wants to play the game in its purist form.
"He would have been just splashing the reds, and clearing up years ago.
"I think the challenge aspect keeps his focus. We didn't think your century record would be beaten, but he's closing in on twice as many and is well into the 1200s.
"Incredible break-builder, incredible long potter and of course, we go back to when he teamed with Reardon all those years ago, and he did become the complete player."
But Murphy admits O'Sullivan can be unpredictable at times.
O'Sullivan has mellowed slightly in recent years but Murphy still says there is a 'dark side' to him.
That saw him comparing the seven-time world champion to Star Wars character Darth Vader.
Murphy said: "But you don't know what you are going to get.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan is aiming to win at the Masters again this week
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"I suppose that's part of the excitement, he's an enigma, he's the crowd favourite, when people come to watch him they don't know which Ronnie is going to turn up.
"Though in recent years, he has been much more consistent, and has become more predictable.
"But we don't have to go too far back to find a dark side.
"He doesn't like authority. He's a rebel. Is he the Darth Vader of snooker?"
Shaun Murphy gave an insight into Ronnie O'Sullivan
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Another of O'Sullivan's long-term rivals, Stephen Hendry, agrees he is the best snooker player there has been
Hendry said: "He is the GOAT because he's taken the game onto a new level.
"One of the reasons he's taken the game onto a new level is because he is an artist."
