Record-breaker Ronnie O’Sullivan believes his 10-7 victory over Joe Perry to earn him his seventh Dafabet Masters title was the best win of his career.

O’Sullivan, who first won the Masters in 1995, surpasses Stephen Hendry’s record of six titles after his third success in the last four years at London’s Alexandra Palace – holding on to the crown he won 12 months ago.

The Rocket reeled off seven successive frames to lead 8-4 and a 112 clearance left him on the brink of victory, which he sealed in the 17th frame.

And after starting the week off with a winter virus and suffering from cue tip issues in the semi-final and showpiece, the Rocket believes this is one of his greatest successes.

“Given the circumstances with my tip, yesterday it played fantastic, today I couldn’t do a lot with it but I managed to hold it together under extreme pressure," he said.

“I have never felt so vulnerable because I couldn’t play three quarters of the shots I wanted to so I had to hang in there and I’m proud that I was able to do that in such a major tournament.

“It’s probably the best win of my career. I’m a competitor, I was going to fight to the end and let the result take care of itself and that’s what you have to do in sport.”

After finding himself 4-1 down, O’Sullivan battled back to 4-4 by the conclusion of the afternoon session and took the first four frames in the evening to lead 8-4.

Perry battled back with a 97 and his second century of the final but O’Sullivan couldn’t be stopped.

And after lifting the Paul Walker Trophy, renamed to commemorate the player who died of cancer in 2006, the 41-year-old is adamant he’ll only play snooker whilst he still enjoys it.

“I’m not really into the history stuff, I like to play, I enjoy it but I don’t want to stop at seven I want to keep enjoying playing,” he added.

“Records are there to be broken and I’m not into this record breaking thing I’m more into the love of the game and competing and if I happen to break records on the way fantastic.

“Paul (Walker) was a legend in the game, a beautiful guy loved by all the players and I always say if he is looking down on us ‘we love you very much you’re not forgotten’.”

Watch the London Masters LIVE on Eurosport 2, featuring daily studio analysis from Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jimmy White and Neal Foulds