Ronnie O'Sullivan has suggested he could retire from snooker in two years after suffering a crushing 17-7 defeat to Zhao Xintong in the World Championship semi-final.
The seven-time world champion exited the tournament on Friday evening in what has been described as his worst Crucible nightmare.
O'Sullivan, 49, admitted he was "confused" by his poor performance and claimed it would be "pretty pointless" to continue unless he can fix the fundamental issues with his game within the next two years.
The defeat marked the fourth time O'Sullivan has suffered a whitewashed session at the Crucible, with Zhao producing an eight-frame whitewash in the second session of their match.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has admitted confusion over his play recently
Reuters
It was the first time in 31 years that O'Sullivan lost with a session to spare, since a 13-3 defeat by John Parrott.
The Rocket had barely taken to the table across 2025, taking four months off before arriving in Sheffield.
His exit continues what has been a very difficult year for the world number five.
Speaking after his defeat, O'Sullivan said: "I have lost what I used to have. I'm so confused. It feels really a struggle.
"I don't know if it was me, the cue tip or the ferrule. I didn't know where the white ball was going."
"I want to give it two years but if you play like that, it's pretty pointless.
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"It's not good. I have been like that for four years, trying to grind it out."
"I don't know how to correct the fault. That is the worrying thing. I am so far away - I don't even know where to begin."
O'Sullivan reflected that his current struggles have given him a new appreciation for his past achievements.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan was thrashed by Zhao Xintong in the semi-final
Reuters
"Maybe I took a few things for granted in the past, maybe it was a bit easy," he said.
"I didn't realise how easy it was, took it for granted. I'm probably a bit more proud of what I've done - because I'm going through a struggle."
Despite his own disappointment, O'Sullivan is backing Zhao to go all the way in the tournament.
"We've got a really nice relationship; I'm always trying to help him if I can," he said.
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Zhao Xintong admitted his happiness over beating his idol Ronnie O'Sullivan
Reuters
"It'd be amazing if he did it. He'd be a mega star, he's still very big in China as it is," O'Sullivan continued about Zhao.
"But if he becomes world champion, he'll be unbelievable."
Zhao, the 2021 UK champion, has recently returned from a 20-month ban for betting breaches as part of a match-fixing scandal involving 10 Chinese players.
After defeating his idol, Zhao expressed his gratitude: "I am so happy. Ronnie is my idol. I want to thank Ronnie for helping me over the years."
