Ronnie O’Sullivan Overcomes Mental Struggles to Reach Tour Championship Final

Ronnie O’Sullivan, the world number one snooker player, has opened up about his struggles with the game as he reached the Tour Championship final in Manchester. The seven-time world champion admitted to feeling scared to play snooker and revealed that he has been battling with the “yips”, a condition that affects a player’s ability to perform.

Despite his mental struggles, O’Sullivan managed to defeat Gary Wilson 10-7 in the semi-finals, hitting three century breaks along the way. He spoke about the importance of changing his mindset and not getting down on himself during matches.

In the final, O’Sullivan will face either Mark Allen or Mark Williams, both of whom are seeking their first Tour Championship title. O’Sullivan is no stranger to the final stage of this event, having won the inaugural tournament in 2019 and finishing as runner-up in the following edition.

The 48-year-old snooker legend has been working with psychiatrist Steve Peters to overcome his mental obstacles and improve his game. O’Sullivan emphasized the need to commit to this process in order to get himself out of the mental “hole” he has found himself in.

The Tour Championship, now in its sixth edition, features the top players on snooker’s one-year ranking list. O’Sullivan’s journey to the final has been a testament to his resilience and determination to overcome his fears and rediscover his love for the game.

Fans can follow the action and updates on the Tour Championship by signing up to My Sport on the BBC app. Stay tuned to see if Ronnie O’Sullivan can conquer his inner demons and emerge victorious in the final showdown.