Ronnie O’Sullivan has shared his struggles with self-doubt following his defeat in the World Open final to Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in Yushan. O’Sullivan initially took a commanding 4-0 lead against his opponent but was outplayed by Un-Nooh, who staged an impressive comeback with a 147-break and three consecutive centuries to secure the victory.
Despite defeating world No.1 Judd Trump in the semi-final, O’Sullivan fell short in the final, allowing Un-Nooh to claim the £175,000 prize. O’Sullivan, who has opted out of the Tour Championship in Manchester, is now focusing on preparing for the upcoming Snooker World Championship scheduled to begin on April 18 at the Crucible in Sheffield.
Expressing his current mindset, O’Sullivan admitted, “I can’t wait for the season to end. I can only take one day, one week at a time.” He acknowledged his recent struggles in performance, mentioning his efforts to improve his game during practice sessions.
Reflecting on his defeat, O’Sullivan praised Un-Nooh for his exceptional performance and acknowledged his own technical shortcomings. Despite not winning a ranking title since January 2024, O’Sullivan remains determined to elevate his game and bounce back stronger.
O’Sullivan emphasized the need to address his limitations in certain shots and expressed his determination to enhance his overall performance. He acknowledged the superior skill displayed by Un-Nooh and highlighted the areas where he needs to improve to compete at the highest level.
Looking ahead, O’Sullivan expressed a cautious optimism about his future prospects, acknowledging the challenges he faces while remaining focused on gradual improvement. Despite the setbacks, O’Sullivan is committed to his craft and remains resilient in his pursuit of success in snooker.