…By Joseph Benjamin for TDPel Media.
Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed that he is disappointed in his seventh World Snooker Championship crown victory over Jude Trump in 2022.
He has expressed that he wishes he “hadn’t won” the title, as he fails to enjoy the recognition and expectation that follows a major title.
The 47-year-old has now become one of the two top snooker players in history, alongside Stephen Henry, but the magician is disappointed with the attention and expectation that now surrounds him.
O’Sullivan stated that after winning the championship, the question he gets asked more than anything is whether he still plays snooker or not, and he wishes to slip under the radar.
O’Sullivan expressed his feelings during The Climb Podcast, where he explained that he has experienced a “worst nightmare” after his seventh title victory.
He added that he had hoped to retire, but the film crew following him around spurred him on to do as well as he could.
He also stated that he didn’t like going so deep anymore but found some reserves within himself to push forward.
While he finds winning the title great, he was never driven by records or awards and preferred to enjoy playing the game.
O’Sullivan revealed that he had a period of frustration in his mid-30s when he almost quit the sport.
However, he renewed his belief in the sport after booking in sessions with renowned psychiatrist Steve Peters, who has worked with UK Athletics, British Cycling, and the England Men’s Football team.
O’Sullivan’s 2022 victory will be documented in an upcoming documentary.
Overall, O’Sullivan’s comments indicate that the attention and pressure that come with winning such a major title have had a negative impact on him.
The pressure to defend his position and win more championships is likely to be a daunting prospect for him, but only time will tell how he manages the expectations surrounding his future performances.