John Virgo: Ronnie O’Sullivan under more pressure than normal ahead of World Snooker Championship

Snooker legend John Virgo has raised concerns about Ronnie O’Sullivan’s form heading into this year’s World Snooker Championship, claiming that the Rocket is under more pressure than usual as he aims for an eighth title and a historic Triple Crown sweep.

O’Sullivan, who has already won five tournaments this season, suffered a disappointing defeat in the final of the Tour Championship to Mark Williams last weekend. Virgo believes that the loss would have been a “shock to the system” for O’Sullivan, who struggled to find his best form against a resurgent Williams.

Despite O’Sullivan’s recent setback, Virgo still views him as the favorite heading into the Crucible later this month. However, he emphasizes that O’Sullivan cannot afford to have another poor performance like he did in Manchester, as the competition at the World Championship will be fierce.

Virgo points out that the pressure of chasing an eighth world title is weighing heavily on O’Sullivan’s shoulders, adding to the strain of living up to high expectations. He acknowledges O’Sullivan’s talent and ability to perform on the big stage but warns that he must put his recent defeat behind him and focus on producing his best snooker.

As O’Sullivan prepares for the World Championship, Virgo reflects on their conversation last summer, where O’Sullivan was reluctant to discuss his loss to Luca Brecel in the previous year’s tournament. Virgo highlights the importance of O’Sullivan maintaining his composure and avoiding any lapses in concentration, as the competition at the Crucible will be unforgiving.

With the World Snooker Championship fast approaching, all eyes will be on Ronnie O’Sullivan as he looks to add another chapter to his storied career and cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.