Ronnie O'Sullivan has made the extraordinary decision to change both the tip and ferrule of his cue mid-tournament during his World Championship semi-final against Zhao Xintong.
The seven-time world champion is currently locked in a tight battle with his Chinese opponent, with the score tied at 4-4 after the first session at the Crucible.
Despite reaching the semi-finals in Sheffield, O'Sullivan has been vocal about his equipment struggles throughout the tournament.
The unusual mid-match adjustment highlights the extent of his dissatisfaction with his cue, which has been an ongoing issue for the snooker legend this year.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has made the extraordinary decision to change both the tip and ferrule of his cue mid-tournament during his World Championship semi-final against Zhao Xintong
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BBC presenter Hazel Irvine revealed the surprising equipment change to viewers following the first session.
"We knew that Ronnie O'Sullivan was playing with a new tip in that session," Irvine said. "Immediately afterwards, we are hearing, he actually went to a shop in Sheffield and changed not only the tip but the ferrule of his cue. A rather extraordinary thing to do in the middle of a semi-final."
The ferrule is the metal sleeve positioned behind the tip of the cue.
This dramatic mid-tournament adjustment underscores the severity of O'Sullivan's dissatisfaction with his equipment during this crucial stage of the championship.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan and Zhao Xintong are level at 4-4 in their World Snooker Championship match
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Snooker legend Steve Davis has commented on the challenges facing O'Sullivan after making such a significant equipment change.
"Yeah, not great. If you've got problems with your equipment and you change mid-stream, how hard is that? How tough is the situation and how bad must it be to change?" Davis remarked.
He elaborated on the precision required in the sport: "You're playing to small margins, but the fact he was trying out a different material for the metal ferrule that has different characteristics, has in this tournament caused him all sorts of problems."
Davis added: "But he's still got over the line, that's how clever he is. But he's not happy with his cue so he's changed it and now he's into unknown territory."
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O'Sullivan himself has been candid about his equipment struggles following his quarter-final victory over Si Jiahui.
"I'm grinding it out," he admitted. "I had work done on my cue. The cue feels awful. I am playing awful. I need a new ferrule."
The Rocket has been attempting various adjustments to compensate for his equipment issues.
"I'm trying all sorts, to hold the cue in a different place, try anything," he explained.
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Despite his outward composure, O'Sullivan revealed inner turmoil: "I'm like a swan on the top but flapping legs at the bottom. I am playing with zero confidence. I have to grind it out."
O'Sullivan's cue problems have been a recurring theme throughout the year.
He even broke a cue in frustration earlier in 2025.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has been left unhappy by his performances at the World Snooker Championship so far
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Despite not competing in any tournament since January, he has managed to reach the semi-finals in Sheffield.
Following his 13-9 victory over Jiahui, O'Sullivan was brutally honest about his performance.
"I don't think I can get any worse but we will see. I have butchered more shots in this tournament than I have in years," he said.
