Ronnie O’Sullivan revealed his struggles with self-doubt following his defeat in the World Open final to Thepchaiya Un-Nooh. Despite initially taking a commanding 4-0 lead, O’Sullivan was outplayed by his Thai opponent, who staged a remarkable comeback with a 147-break and three consecutive centuries to secure the victory.
Having recently triumphed over world No.1 Judd Trump in the semi-final, O’Sullivan missed out on the £175,000 prize in China. Consequently, he has opted out of the Tour Championship in Manchester but is aiming to make a comeback at the upcoming Snooker World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield starting on April 18.
Expressing his current struggles, O’Sullivan stated his focus on taking each day and week as it comes, emphasizing the need to improve his game for competitive play. Despite acknowledging his opponent’s superior performance, O’Sullivan highlighted his technical challenges and lack of consistency on the table.
Reflecting on the match, O’Sullivan praised Thepchaiya’s exceptional play and admitted his own shortcomings in adapting to certain shots. While acknowledging his game has not reached the desired level, O’Sullivan remains optimistic about his future improvements and the potential to enhance his performance on the tour.
Although O’Sullivan has not clinched a ranking title since January 2024, he remains determined to push forward and elevate his game to compete at the highest level. The seasoned snooker player remains focused on overcoming his current obstacles and striving for a stronger performance in future competitions.