Ronnie O'Sullivan goes solo, inspired by McIlroy’s path

Posted : 24 April 2025

Ronnie O'Sullivan has opened up about his challenging experiences over the past four years, acknowledging that while it's been a humbling period for him, he now understands the areas he needs to improve. The seven-time World Champion has decided to go without technical support from coaches moving forward, choosing instead to rely on his instincts. As he prepares for his second-round match at the World Championship against Pang Junxu, O'Sullivan is determined to return to the top of the snooker world.

In the 2024/25 season, O'Sullivan faced several setbacks, including breaking a cue in frustration and missing a number of tournaments to focus on his mental and physical well-being. After a lengthy break, he made his return to competitive snooker in the World Championship, where he secured a victory over Ali Carter in the first round. Although pleased with his performance, O'Sullivan remains cautious ahead of his upcoming match against Pang Junxu at The Crucible.

Speaking to TNT Sports, O'Sullivan expressed that the win against Carter felt like the best he had played in three years. However, he cautioned against getting too optimistic, noting that he had experienced occasional good performances, like his victory over Ding Junhui at the Riyadh Season Championship, only to follow it up with less impressive displays. Despite this inconsistency, O'Sullivan has still managed to win snooker's prestigious Triple Crown, including the World Championship (2022), UK Championship (2023), and The Masters (2024), though he described the last few years as a struggle.

The 49-year-old explained that snooker has a way of humbling even the best players. Reflecting on his recent struggles, O'Sullivan said that the last three or four years had been particularly challenging. There were brief moments of success, such as his World Championship win, but overall, he described the period as "awful." He recognizes the issues that need to be addressed and is now focusing on working with sports psychiatrist Steve Peters, opting not to continue with technical coaches.

"I know what I need to correct," O'Sullivan shared, adding that there would be no more coaches in his corner, just himself and Peters. He explained that his goal is to become more instinctive and rediscover his natural way of playing. The plan is to commit fully to his game for the next two years, even if it proves to be a difficult journey. O'Sullivan is determined to give his all to practice, compete in tournaments, and regain the shots he feels he has lost.

One of the key struggles O'Sullivan has faced is the loss of confidence in his ability to strike the ball. He admitted that he had become fearful of hitting the ball properly, often lacking the cue power and touch he once had. O'Sullivan has been "quitting" on shots and mis-timing them, which has hindered his performance. He believes the solution lies in clearing his head, avoiding overthinking, and returning to the style of play that made him successful in the past.

O'Sullivan has also decided to cut out distractions and focus solely on snooker, even citing golf star Rory McIlroy as an inspiration. McIlroy, who completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters in April, has spoken about the mental challenges of maintaining form. O'Sullivan related to McIlroy's philosophy, noting how his struggles over the past few years had made him feel like he might never play well again. However, he remains hopeful that by simplifying his approach, he can rediscover his former brilliance on the table.

Ronnie O'Sullivan goes solo, inspired by McIlroy’s path

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