Ronnie O’Sullivan has shared his struggles with self-doubt following his defeat in the World Open final to Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in Yushan. Initially leading 4-0, O’Sullivan seemed poised for a 42nd ranking title, but Un-Nooh staged an impressive comeback with a 147-break and three consecutive centuries to secure the victory.
After defeating world No.1 Judd Trump in the semi-final, O’Sullivan missed out on the £175,000 prize and opted out of the Tour Championship in Manchester. Instead, he is focusing on preparing for the upcoming Snooker World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield starting on April 18.
Expressing his current struggles, O’Sullivan confessed, “I can only take one day, one week at a time with my career. I’ve been working on improving my game and regaining my form, especially after a slump in January and February. Despite feeling hesitant initially, I now believe I can compete and possibly participate in the World Championship.”
Acknowledging Un-Nooh’s exceptional performance, O’Sullivan admitted to technical challenges in his own game and emphasized the need to elevate his performance level. Despite not winning a ranking title since January 2024, O’Sullivan remains optimistic about his progress and future prospects in the sport.
Reflecting on the recent competition, O’Sullivan praised his opponent’s skill and acknowledged the areas he needs to enhance in his own gameplay to be more competitive at the highest level. He remains focused on continuous improvement and taking each day as it comes, recognizing the ongoing challenges and uncertainties in his snooker journey.