Ronnie O’Sullivan opens up about mental struggles in snooker and admits feeling ‘scared’ to play

Ronnie O’Sullivan, the legendary snooker player, has opened up about his recent struggles with the sport, admitting that he has been “scared” to play. The seven-time world champion has reached another final at the Tour Championship this weekend, but he acknowledges that he has a lot of work to do to overcome his mental hurdles.

O’Sullivan, who is participating in his final tournament before aiming for an eighth World Championship title at the Crucible, has already had a successful season, winning five competitions including the UK Championship and the Masters.

In a tough semi-final match against Gary Wilson, O’Sullivan found himself level at 4-4 after the first session. However, he dug deep and managed to pull off a remarkable comeback, winning three frames in a row to secure his spot in the final.

The Rocket has been in discussions with sports psychiatrist Dr. Steve Peters, and he credits this support for helping him improve his mindset. O’Sullivan acknowledges that he has been in a “horrible, murky world” mentally, but he is committed to putting in the hard work to overcome his struggles.

Having previously pulled out of tournaments due to anxiety, O’Sullivan is determined to push through his fears and rediscover his love for the game. He knows that it will take time and effort, but he is willing to do whatever it takes to get back to playing at his best.

As he prepares for the final of the Tour Championship, O’Sullivan’s fans will be rooting for him as he continues his journey to overcome his mental struggles and reclaim his place as one of the greatest snooker players of all time.