Ronnie O’Sullivan has 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, despite initially taking a commanding 4-0 lead.
Un-Nooh mounted an impressive comeback, including a 147-break and three consecutive centuries, to secure the victory and the £175,000 prize. O’Sullivan, who had previously defeated world No.1 Judd Trump, opted out of the upcoming Tour Championship in Manchester but is now focusing on preparing for the Snooker World Championship, scheduled to start on April 18 at the Crucible in Sheffield.
Reflecting on his recent performances, O’Sullivan expressed his struggles with finding his form and confidence, admitting to feeling uncertain about his abilities. Despite his technical challenges and lack of recent ranking titles, O’Sullivan praised Un-Nooh’s performance and acknowledged his opponent’s superior play during the final.
While acknowledging the gap in his current game, O’Sullivan highlighted the need to improve his potting accuracy and overall gameplay to compete at the highest level. He emphasized the importance of taking each day as it comes and staying focused on gradual improvement in his game.
O’Sullivan’s defeat in the World Open final serves as a reminder of the challenges he faces in regaining top form and competitiveness on the snooker circuit.