Ronnie O’Sullivan recently shared his struggles with self-doubt following his defeat in the World Open final on Sunday. The seven-time world champion was defeated 10-7 by Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in Yushan after initially taking a 4-0 lead.
Despite his strong start against the Thai player, Un-Nooh mounted an impressive comeback with a 147-break and three consecutive centuries, ultimately clinching the victory and the £175,000 prize. O’Sullivan, who had previously defeated world No.1 Judd Trump in the semi-final, has opted out of the Tour Championship in Manchester but is now focusing on the upcoming Snooker World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield starting on April 18.
Reflecting on his recent performances, O’Sullivan expressed his struggles with finding his form, highlighting a period of inconsistency during the season. Initially hesitant about participating in the World Championship, he now feels more confident and is determined to improve his game.
Acknowledging his opponent’s strong performance, O’Sullivan praised Thepchaiya for his well-deserved victory and admitted his own technical shortcomings. Despite not winning a ranking title since January 2024, O’Sullivan remains optimistic about his future in the sport and is determined to address his current challenges to enhance his gameplay.
While O’Sullivan remains realistic about his current level of play, he is focused on continuous improvement and staying mentally resilient in the face of ongoing challenges.