Ronnie O'Sullivan reveals 'biggest worry' as Masters champion awaits punishment from snooker chiefs

Ronnie O'Sullivan reveals 'biggest worry' as Masters champion awaits punishment from snooker chiefs

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Ronnie O'Sullivan competes at the World Grand Prix

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 17/01/2024

- 07:39

The 48-year-old is still not happy with how he is performing

Ronnie O'Sullivan admits he is not playing with any confidence despite continuing his winning form.

The Rocket won his opening round match at the World Grand Prix on Tuesday but is not happy with how he is playing as he awaits a potential punishment from snooker chiefs.


O'Sullivan beat Pang Junxu 4-2 in Leicester and will face Zhou Yuelong in the second round on Thursday.

The seven-time world champion was back in action less than 48 hours after winning his eighth Masters title on Sunday.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan has revealed his biggest worry

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He sped into a 3-0 lead before Pang won two frames in a row to get back into the match.

O'Sullivan turned it on in the sixth frame and ensured he would keep alive hopes of winning the tournament for a third time.

The 48-year-old was not pleased with how he played at Alexandra Palace last week.

And despite a strong showing against Pang, he still wasn't content.

O'Sullivan has won the last two Triple Crown events as well as the Shanghai Masters last September.

But he still thinks he can be playing at a higher level.

O'Sullivan told ITV 4: "Do you know what, it's nice winning tournaments but the biggest worry for me is that I’m not really comfortable, or I don’t feel like I’m playing with confidence.

"It’s a lot to do with cueing and stuff like that.

"I know I’ve won tournaments, but I’m still not really happy with my game, which is more important than winning tournaments to me."

O'Sullivan admits he is surprised by his recent success on the table.

He thinks his mentality of not putting too much importance on tournaments has seen him come out on top.

He added: "It’s been surprising. I don’t know where it’s come from, to be honest with you.

"I’ll take it! I’m not going to say no to it!

"But, maybe [it's] just because I’m not that bothered really? It’s not the most important thing for me.

"I still want to do alright. But the most important thing is I want to play well.

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Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan is not happy with how he's playing

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"I’d rather play well and get beat than play badly and win. That’s my feeling on it."

O'Sullivan faces a potential punishment following his outburst at Ali Carter.

He claimed Carter 'needs to sort his f*****g life out' and is a 'a f*****g nightmare' to play against.

World Snooker are investigating the comments and The Sun claims O'Sullivan could be slapped with a fine.

Former Scottish star Alan McManus has called on the pair to meet and settle their differences.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan is competing at the World Grand Prix this week

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McManus said: "Very strong words on both sides of the fence there.

"I think because they've both been around for 30 years or so - they're men now, they've got their feelings and they will air them.

"What I would like to see, which probably isn't going to happen, is one of them saying to the other 'listen, come with me. I'm going to buy you a beer and we're going to talk this one out'."

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