Ronnie O’Sullivan has shared his struggles with self-doubt following his loss in the World Open final to Thepchaiya Un-Nooh. Despite initially leading 4-0 in the match, O’Sullivan was outplayed by his opponent, who staged a remarkable comeback with a 147-break and three consecutive centuries to secure the victory.
Having recently defeated world No.1 Judd Trump in the semi-final, O’Sullivan missed out on the £175,000 prize and has opted out of the upcoming Tour Championship in Manchester. Instead, he is focusing on preparing for the Snooker World Championship scheduled to begin on April 18 at the Crucible in Sheffield.
Expressing his current mindset, O’Sullivan admitted to struggling with his game consistency and performance levels. He highlighted a period of decline in his play during January and February but expressed hope in regaining form through practice and match play.
Despite feeling uncertain about his abilities, O’Sullivan acknowledged his opponent’s superior performance and technical skills. Reflecting on his own shortcomings, O’Sullivan recognized the limitations in his game, emphasizing the need to improve his shot selection and execution to challenge top-tier competitors effectively.
While acknowledging Thepchaiya’s deserving victory, O’Sullivan remains optimistic about his progress and resilience in the face of setbacks. He emphasized the importance of staying grounded and focused on gradual improvement, despite the challenges he faces in his snooker career.
O’Sullivan, a former seven-time world champion, remains ranked 10th globally and is determined to overcome his current struggles to return to peak performance levels in future tournaments.