Ronnie O’Sullivan gives worrying interview after snooker legend’s victory over Zhou Yuelong at World Grand Prix
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN admits he is struggling with his game and losing the enjoyment factor – despite being on an 11-match winning streak.
As gifted as he might be with a cue in hand, the Rocket is his own biggest critic and will never give himself praise for good displays or battling performances.
Breaks of 67, 107 – his 33rd season century – 50 and 90 got him over the line in a 4-3 win over Zhou Yuelong in round two of the World Grand Prix in Leicester.
A tougher proposition lies in wait on Friday in the shape of Scottish Open champion Gary Wilson with both men aiming to make the semi-finals on Saturday.
The world No.1 has come to the Morningside Arena off the back of winning nine matches at the UK Championship and Masters – which has earned him a cool £500,000.
But rather than see the positives, the Essex cue man, 48, said: “I cannot fathom it out. I’ve got to really consider whether I can carry on feeling the way I am out there.
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“I’m not getting any enjoyment from the way I’m hitting the ball. It feels like hard work.
“I haven’t got a clue where the balls are going. A lot of it is guesswork.
“It’s a struggle. The worst thing is I’m winning bloody tournaments as well.
“If I was getting pumped first round every match playing like that, it’s an easy decision to make.
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“I’m not getting any enjoyment out of it. I definitely need a break at least. I’ve been like this for 25 or 30 years, so it’s not anything different.
“It’s the only thing I’ve known. It’s my job and it’s all I know. So I’ve struggled through it.
“I just have struggles with the game. I can’t accept bad cueing, I can’t accept it.
“I’d rather cue well and lose than cue awfully and win tournaments. I get no satisfaction from it. I just really don’t.”
It’s a struggle. The worst thing is I’m winning bloody tournaments as well.
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Stephen Hendry, a fellow seven-time world champion, acknowledged the trouble and strife you often experience even when you are winning on a consistent basis.
The Scotsman, 55, said: “In my last world championship, I made a 147 and there were only about six shots out of it, which I hit properly.
“I know kind of what he means when you’re still potting the balls. People from the outside say, oh my god, you are playing well.
“It’s hard. We watched that and thought the first two frames were immaculate. Only the players knows how they can cue.
“It’s very hard to watch that and see how well he has played and for Ronnie to be so down on his form.”