Ronnie O’Sullivan recently discussed his struggles with self-doubt following his defeat in the World Open final to Thepchaiya Un-Nooh. O’Sullivan initially took a commanding 4-0 lead against his opponent but was ultimately outplayed as Un-Nooh made a remarkable comeback, including a 147-break and three consecutive centuries, securing a significant victory.
After losing to Un-Nooh, O’Sullivan, who had previously defeated world No.1 Judd Trump in the semi-final, missed out on the £175,000 prize. Reflecting on his performance in China, O’Sullivan decided to skip the Tour Championship in Manchester and is now focusing on preparing for the upcoming Snooker World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield starting on April 18.
Expressing his current mindset, O’Sullivan acknowledged his recent struggles, stating, “I can only take one day, one week at a time with my career.” Despite his uncertainties, O’Sullivan is gradually regaining confidence in his game after a period of inconsistency earlier in the season.
Acknowledging his opponent’s superior performance, O’Sullivan admitted to technical challenges affecting his own gameplay. Despite not winning a ranking title since January 2024, O’Sullivan remains optimistic about his progress and is determined to overcome his current limitations on the table.
In conclusion, O’Sullivan commended Thepchaiya for his outstanding performance and recognized the areas where he needs to improve to reach his desired level of play. While acknowledging the difficulties he has faced, O’Sullivan remains focused on his journey in the sport and is determined to make the necessary adjustments to elevate his game.
