The greatest snooker player of all time, Ronnie O’Sullivan, returned to action this afternoon as he competed in the first round of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield against long-time foe Ali Carter.
The seven-time world champion hasn’t played in a tournament since snapping his cue in anger and walking out of the Championship League in January. He has pulled out of several events at short notice over the past 12 months, including the Masters at Alexandra Palace, to prioritise his mental health and wellbeing and admits he has been scared to go near a snooker table during his absence, while fearing he has “lost his bottle”.
O’Sullivan has been open about his struggles, and there was real doubt about whether the 49-year-old would play at Sheffield or be absent for the first time in 33 years but he is indeed taking to the baize and will try to find form as the tournament progresses.
He is currently level with Stephen Hendry for the most world titles won at the Crucible, with seven, and although he has played down expectations of securing a record-breaking eight this year, he does have form – having opted to miss the whole of the 2013 season before rocking up in Sheffield and winning the world title that year.
‘The Rocket’ could have received an easier first-round draw, with Carter the highest-ranked player to come through the qualifiers and a former two-time world finalist himself – losing to O’Sullivan on both occasions, in 2008 and 2012. The pair have a messy history that includes mid-match shoulder barges and wars of words over on-table behaviour, so expect an explosive contest.
Follow all the action from the first-round encounter between O’Sullivan and Carter from the Crucible with our blog below:
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Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ali Carter - live updates
- Ronnie O'Sullivan returns to snooker action as he takes on Ali Carter in the first round of the World Championship | Live on BBC and TNT Sports
- O'Sullivan hasn't played in a tournament since snapping his cue in anger and walking out of the Championship League in January
- 'The Rocket' has been missing tournaments to prioritise his mental health and well-being but will try to win a record-breaking eighth world title at the Crucible
- O'Sullivan and Carter have played in two previous world finals and have a messy history including shoulder barges and wars of words
- Latest score: Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-4 Ali Carter (best-of-19)
Ronnie O’Sullivan leads rival Ali Carter on snooker return at the Crucible
18:30
,
Mike Jones
Ronnie O’Sullivan had to settle for a single-frame overnight advantage as the opening session of his World Snooker Championship first-round clash against old foe Ali Carter failed to live up to its pre-match hype.
The seven-time champion, returning to the tour for the first time since dumping his cue after losing a Championship League match in January, looked to have scrapped out a 6-3 lead to take into Wednesday afternoon’s scheduled conclusion.
But Carter dug deep after O’Sullivan jawed a long red to the top corner in the final frame of the day, gradually erasing a 51-point deficit and nervelessly clearing the colours to cut his overnight deficit to 5-4.
Ronnie O'Sullivan leads Ali Carter on snooker return
18:16
,
Mike Jones
A fascinating contest is developing between long-standing rivals Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter in the first round of the World Snooker Championship.
Neither player found their absolute best form across the opening session of their clash but O’Sullivan edged into an unassailable 5-2 lead before Carter won the final two sets to trail 5-4 heading into Wednesday’s resumption.
O’Sullivan will be hoping to better his efforts at long pots while Carter will want to build on his finish from today’s session and try to overcome the one-frame deficit.
We’ll be back tomorrow with more coverage of the championships as O’Sullivan v Carter resumes at 2.30pm.
'It would be great to see O'Sullivan win an eighth title'
18:05
,
Mike Jones
Kyren Wilson praised Ronnie O’Sullivan for participating in the World Snooker Championships after dealing with some mental health problems and claims his inclusion in the tournament brings attention to the sport.
Wilson said: “It is huge to have Ronnie O'Sullivan back because of the attention he brings to the game.
“It would be great to see him go and win an eighth world title but first and foremost it is just good to see him back competing.”
Shaun Murphy leads Daniel Wells in first round of World Championship
18:00
,
Mike Jones
Shaun Murphy made a strong start to his bid to claim a second World Snooker Championship title 20 years after his first as some heavy scoring saw him take a commanding 7-2 lead against debutant Daniel Wells.
Masters champion Murphy and Wells each made two century breaks in a high-quality session at the Crucible on Tuesday but a run of four frames in a row proved the difference as Murphy flexed his muscles in the first-round encounter.
Ronnie O'Sullivan holds slender lead after first session
17:54
,
Mike Jones
Nine frames into his first round match and Ronnie O’Sullivan leads Ali Carter 5-4.
There’s just one frame separating the two men who will resume their battle for a place in the second round tomorrow after from 2.30pm.
'Ali had the bit between his teeth'
17:48
,
Mike Jones
The 2024 world snooker champion, Kyren Wilson - who was beaten in the first round at this tournament - spoke about Ali Carter’s determined outlook.
He said: “Ali seemed to have the bit between his teeth. That will feel massive going in at 5-4 rather than 6-3 [down].
“There have been positives from both guys that they can take into Wednesday's session.
“There was so much built up expectation with Ali coming in as a qualifier and Ronnie coming in as an unknown this year which is so strange.
“I'm sure Ronnie will go away and be happy with a one-frame lead.”
Reaction from Steve Davis
17:44
,
Mike Jones
The six-time world snooker champion, Steve Davis, told BBC Two:
“Ronnie will know he does not want to beat himself up too much if he is missing from distance.
“In the past when his long game has been off he has done that but perhaps he knows this is unchartered territory and he will not punish himself mentally for making mistakes and that's a better position to be in.”
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-4 Ali Carter
17:35
,
Mike Jones
Ronnie O’Sullivan has returned to competitive snooker after a long absence to deal with mental health problems and is locked into a battle with Ali Carter in the first round of the World Snooker Championships.
O’Sullivan took a 5-2 lead in the first session on Tuesday afternoon before Carter won the final two frames to leave the match delicately poised at 5-4.
The duo return to the table on Wednesday afternoon to play this match through to a finish with the first player to reach 10 frames (best of 19) progressing to the next round.
It will be a fascinating watch and the Independent will have all the coverage of O’Sullivan’s attempt to win an eighth world title.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-4 Ali Carter - frame nine
17:30
,
Mike Jones
Huge! O’Sullivan misjudges his own safety shot and leaves a long pot across the table for Carter who duly knocks it into the bottom right pocket.
The black takes him into the lead with just the colours remaining.
With the help of the rest the yellow goes in, the green follows as does the brown.
He’s positioned perfectly on the blue and needs this for the frame... he gets it!
Carter finishes off with the pink for a break of 35 and he wins the frame.
Two frames at the end of the session and Carter keeps himself in the contest.
O’Sullivan leads 5-4 going into tomorrow’s morning session. What as match this is going to be.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-3 Ali Carter - frame nine
17:27
,
Mike Jones
Carter decides to play safe after a break of 28. O’Sullivan knuckles the table to acknowledge the well-placed safety of his opponent.
He fouls and leaves one of the reds on to the middle right pocket which Carter knocks in. There’s a focus in his eyes now as he looks to take advantage again.
The brown follows quickly and he leaves himself with a chance at the red furthest up the table.
He needs the extended rest to help him reach the cueball and the red drops in!
One red remains but it’s not accessible for Carter. He pockets the yellow and plays safe again just one point behind O’Sullivan in the frame. 46-45.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-3 Ali Carter - frame nine
17:23
,
Mike Jones
A testing shot for Carter, after O’Sullivan misses a long pot, rolls a red into the middle of the bottom right pocket.
Carter taps the pink in as a follow up but the remaining reds are trickily scattered across the table.
He polishes off the open reds but there are three nestled close to the left hand cushion with the score at 46-33.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-3 Ali Carter - frame nine
17:19
,
Mike Jones
No! A seemingly straightforward pot sees the red bounce around the lip of the pocket for Carter who winces and sits back down.
The frame is given back to O’Sullivan who teases a couple of soft reds into the pockets and picks off the blue and the black to build his break.
Back in position the Rocket almost skips around the table but clips the black after potting his latest red and has a tricky line for the pink to the right middle.
He lands it! But in doing so has a terrible shot left to pot a long red.
This one doesn’t drop and O’Sullivan leads 46-5 with plenty of opportunity for Carter to get back in the frame.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-3 Ali Carter - frame nine
17:15
,
Mike Jones
A misplaced cueball allows O’Sullivan to split off a couple of reds. He screws up the table to play for the blue.
As he does he cannons into the pink to open the pack but one of the reds sneaks into the bottom right pocket for a foul!
His break ends, unfortunately, at 17. Can Ali Carter capitalise?
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-3 Ali Carter - frame nine
17:13
,
Mike Jones
Okay, let’s get down to it.
Ronnie O’Sullivan will either lead 6-3 or 5-4 going into tomorrow’s session but which scoreline will it be?
Ali Carter breaks off and plays safe... or so he thinks.
O’Sullivan strokes a loose red into the bottom left pocket with gusto and lands a long pot that gets the crowd excited.
What a start to this frame. Plenty of work to do though for O’Sullivan before he’s comfortable.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-3 Ali Carter - frame eight
17:09
,
Mike Jones
Century! An almost perfect comeback from Ali Carter who was starting to drift away from Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The Rocket missed a pot to let him in and Carter made him pay with a break of 107.
It’s a frame won in one visit and it moves him back within two.
One frame left to go in today’s session and the two men will be back tomorrow to finish off this clash.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-2 Ali Carter - frame eight
17:05
,
Mike Jones
A fine frame at the right time for Ali Carter who takes a chance with a pot to open a break and methodically works his way around the table.
Red, colour, red, colour with calm composure to notch up 44 points. The next red drops and he cannons into the pack of reds to separate them.
A fine cut on the black sees that fall into the bottom left pocket and the table has opened up nicely for him.
It should be a simple matter to clinch this frame now for the Englishman.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-2 Ali Carter - frame eight
16:59
,
Luke Baker
Two frames left in this session and they’re huge for Carter. Obviously, in an ideal world, he’d win both but at a minimum he has to take one.
6-3 down heading into tomorrow’s final session would be an uphill battle but 7-2 would be basically game over. Can he at least give himself a shot at 5-4 by winning frame eight here?
Safety exchange to open things up
Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-2 Ali Carter - O'SULLIVAN WINS FRAME SEVEN
16:58
,
Luke Baker
Effortless for O’Sullivan. And he gets past the snookers required stage with ease. Eventually misses a red on 85 so no century but a quickfire frame to extend his lead.
O’Sullivan wins frame seven to open up a three-frame lead.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-2 Ali Carter - frame seven
16:55
,
Luke Baker
Here comes the Rocket. He’s starting to stride round the table like a man on a mission now. A nice pot to get in and then clever cannons and flicks quickly take the break beyond 50.
The balls are waiting for him and not only should this be another frame on the board, it could be a century.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 4-2 Ali Carter - O'SULLIVAN WINS FRAME SIX
16:47
,
Luke Baker
That will hurt Carter. O’Sullivan holds his nerve, all the colours are on their spots and completes the clearance with a 45 break.
O’Sullivan pinches frame six and leads 4-2. Carter may end up looking back on that frame with regret.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-2 Ali Carter - frame six
16:42
,
Luke Baker
Hmmm. Carter makes 60, which is his highest break so far, but he’s not quite over the line and then misses a simple red to the left corner. It careers up the table and lands right over the yellow pocket, giving Ronnie the perfect starter.
This is a golden opportunity for a counter-clearance with a few reds left and to steal the frame.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-2 Ali Carter - frame six
16:39
,
Luke Baker
O’Sullivan makes 24 but a missed red allows Carter in and he quickly reaches 30 and counting. A trick red to right middle, with hampered cueing, is potted by the Captain and the balls are largely at his mercy here.
Can he kill off a frame in one visit for the first time in this match?
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-2 Ali Carter - CARTER WINS FRAME FIVE
16:31
,
Luke Baker
That didn’t last too long, O’Sullivan misses a red from being in a snooker and concedes the frame.
Not always pretty and he needed a couple of chances but Ali Carter wins frame five to close the gap to 3-2
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-1 Ali Carter - frame five
16:29
,
Luke Baker
Immediately Carter leaves himself a lot to do with a tricky green into the right corner pocket but it’s a nice pot and the red to follow leaves O’Sullivan needing snookers.
The Captain misses a simple enough red to the corner that would have stopped Ronnie coming back to the table but the seven-time champ will play on and try to get the two snookers he needs now....
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-1 Ali Carter - frame five
16:26
,
Luke Baker
Carter makes a few more but can’t finish the job and is forced to play safe. He has a 51-point lead but with five reds remaining, there’s plenty of scope for an O’Sullivan counter clearance if he gets the chance.
HIs long-potting hasn’t been great today though and he misses another. The red bounces out and leaves Carter a simple starter. Only a few pots needed to win this frame and close the gap to one.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-1 Ali Carter - frame five
16:21
,
Luke Baker
Scrappy from O’Sullivan as the white goes in-off as he plays a safety on a red. It leaves Carter a chance at a long red which he crunches in and he can pad his lead here, although the black and pink are out of commission, making things harder.
It’s 38-6 to the Captain and he’d love to get over the line by clearing up the five reds in the centre of the table. Clever cannon opens up those reds and frees the pink also. This is a real chance for Carter here.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-1 Ali Carter - frame five
16:14
,
Luke Baker
Back underway after the mid-session interval and it feels like a big frame for Carter. The match could quickly start getting away from him if he’s not careful.
It’s going well for the Captain but he misses a black off the spot as he tries to split the pack of reds and his lead is just 31 points. There was more available there.
The only good news is there’s no real pot on for O’Sullivan so he’ll have to wait for a chance
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-1 Ali Carter - MID-SESSION INTERVAL
15:58
,
Luke Baker
O’Sullivan started to find his rhythm towards the end of that first mini-session and he’s in control of this match in the early going
Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-1 Ali Carter - O'SULLIVAN WINS FRAME FOUR
15:56
,
Luke Baker
This is ominous for Ali Carter. Ronnie is getting in stroke here and it's a clean win in frame four for the seven-time world champion as he triumphs in one visit.
In fact, he goes on to make the century as he notches a total clearance of 107. Vintage O'Sullivan that - he's starting to look right at home.
Ronnie O'Sullivan wins frame four and leads 3-1 at the mid-session interval
Ronnie O'Sullivan 2-1 Ali Carter - O'SULLIVAN WINS FRAME THREE
15:55
,
Luke Baker
In frame three, both men have plenty of chances but eventually Carter makes a fatal mistake and O'Sullivan is able to get over the line.
O'Sullivan wins frame three 83-28 to take the lead at 2-1.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 1-1 Ali Carter - frame two
15:55
,
Luke Baker
Carter makes a few and takes his lead to 55-26 with one red left on the table. A 29-point difference with 35 points remaining when he runs out of position and is forced to play safe. Who can get a chance at this final red first?
O'Sullivan does! Long pot into the bottom right corner and the pink is waiting for him. He'll need all the colours to nick this and the yellow is tricky along the top cushion.
Great shot from the pink, arcing the white between black and blue to land perfectly on the yellow and the clearance is set up here.
He does the business, slots in the final black and Ronnie O'Sullivan wins frame two 60-55 to make it 1-1. A steal from the Rocket and he'll feel much better now.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 0-1 Ali Carter - frame two
15:54
,
Luke Baker
Carter is making heavy weather of his chances so far this match and he can only make 14. The Rocket back in but he misses a pink to left middle early on. Frustrating for both players.
O'Sullivan leads 26-14 with plenty of reds left.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 1-0 Ali Carter - frame two
15:53
,
Luke Baker
Right, here's O'Sullivan's first real scoring chance in frame two. Left a fairly straightforward red to get in and this will be a good test of how he's feeling.
The cue ball isn't exactly on a string and he leaves himself a tricky black along the bottom cushion when on 25. And it misses! Rattles the jaws and stays out. Frustration for the Rocket. Leaves Carter in with a good chance to score some points.
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ali Carter - CARTER WINS FRAME 1
15:21
,
Luke Baker
Again, Carter can't quite get over the line as he breaks down on 35. A clearance here from O'Sullivan could snatch this opening frame.
But he misses a red when on 17 and Carter can clear up to finally get over the line.
Ali Carter wins the opening frame to lead 1-0.
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ali Carter - frame 1
14:53
,
Luke Baker
Carter goes for another long red but misses by quite a distance and O’Sullivan has the chance to crunch in his pot of the day. No position to speak of though, so it’s just the single point.
Neither man has truly settled in the early going yet.
That’s good cueing by Carter though - digs out a red to the left corner and he’s got a third chance on this opening frame to score heavily.
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ali Carter - frame 1
14:48
,
Luke Baker
Interestingly, O’Sullivan shook hands with Carter at the chair rather than the normal fist bump. Good to see.
After an initial safety exchange, Carter is in first with a nice long red but only gets eight points before running out of position. He then gets another opportunity that looks really good but pots the cueball when on just 18. Nervy start.
Carter leads 26-4 as they enter another safety exchange.
The boys are on the baize
14:37
,
Luke Baker
MC Rob Walker - a human Energizer Bunny if ever there was one - has introduced the players to a raucous Crucible crowd.
It’s Ding Junhui vs Zak Surety to a finish on the other table, where Ding leads 6-3. But we’re focussing on O’Sullivan vs Carter.
Ronnie looks straight ahead as he walks into the arena to Drops of Jupiter by Train. Does he look a shade nervous or am I reading too much into it? Carter looks pretty relaxed as he walks into The Zephyr Song by Red Hot Chili Peppers.
O’Sullivan breaks off in frame one. Let’s do this.
O'Sullivan says Carter is favourite
14:32
,
Luke Baker
O’Sullivan has been adamant in the build-up that Carter is the favourite for this match, despite the head-to-head record being so much in his favour.
He also claims just making a game of it would be a win for him. Typical mind games from the Rocket or does he genuinely believe it?
Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ali Carter
14:23
,
Luke Baker
We’re not far away now from this mouth-watering first-round clash getting underway at the Crucible. Probably 10 minutes or so until the players are introduced.
Incidentally, in terms of world rankings, O’Sullivan is currently No 5 while Carter is No 18.
O'Sullivan v Carter down the years
14:11
,
Luke Baker
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter first met in a ranking event back at the 2001 UK Championship, which O’Sullivan won 9-2, and they have squared off 21 times as professionals.
Here are some images from those clashes
World Snooker Championship prize fund
13:55
,
Luke Baker
The World Championship is the richest prize in snooker with players sharing a total prize fund of £2,395,000. The winner will receive £500,000, with the runner-up pocketing £200,000 and the losing semi-finalists netting £100,000 each.
- Last 112 - £5,000
- Last 80 - £10,000
- Last 48 - £15,000
- Last 32 - £20,000
- Last 16 - £30,000
- Quarter-finalists - £50,000
- Semi-finalists - £100,000
- Runner-up - £200,000
- Winner - £500,000
A bonus of £40,000 is on offer for a maximum break made at the Crucible. That bonus is in addition to the £15,000 highest break prize.
An additional bonus of £147,000 is on offer to any player who makes two maximums across the season's Triple Crown events and the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
By making two maximums in the third qualifying round, Jackson Page won a £147,000 bonus for two maximums and the £10,000 bonus for a maximum in qualifying. The £147,000 bonus can be won up to two more times.
Ronnie O’Sullivan: ‘I wish I was more like Hendry and Davis’
13:42
,
Luke Baker
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s most recent World Championship title, won so emotionally at the iconic Crucible Theatre in 2022, more or less ended the debate surrounding snooker’s greatest player of all time.
Yet as those who have followed his rollercoaster career, or watched his candid, raw 2023 documentary The Edge of Everything will be painfully aware, the almost endless trophies and triumphs haven’t always brought him happiness or satisfaction. Many a whitewash victory against an overmatched opponent has been followed by O’Sullivan slating his own performance for not quite reaching the impossibly perfect standards he demands of himself.
So perhaps it should come as no surprise that, in an exclusive interview with The Independent, he reveals that he yearns to be more like those who came before him.
Read Luke Baker’s exclusive interview with ‘the Rocket’ from last October:
Ronnie O'Sullivan 'hates letting people down' amid tournament withdrawals
13:30
,
Luke Baker
Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of a number of events this season amid ongoing battles with his mental health but the seven-time world champion says doesn’t take those decision lightly
After withdrawing from the Welsh Open in February, he said: “I realise plenty of people who bought tickets to some recent snooker events will have been frustrated when I withdrew, so I just wanted to say sorry to those of you who’ve been disappointed with me having to pull out of those tournaments,” O’Sullivan wrote on X.
“I’ve been trying to prioritise my health and well-being, which sometimes means making last-minute decisions not to play. It’s never an easy decision and I hate letting people down.
“I’m doing what I can to get back to my best, and I’m grateful for all your support and understanding.”
O'Sullivan v Carter head to head
13:18
,
Luke Baker
While the O’Sullivan-Carter rivalry has often been intense off the table, it has been an absolute demolition job on the baize.
In 21 professional matches (excluding the best-of-five Championship League), O’Sullivan has won on 20 occasions. The lone exception came at the 2018 World Championship in a match that became more famous for the players shoulder barging each other at the table and exchanging angry words, forcing the referee to step in. Carter ultimately won that second-round contest 13-9.
But O’Sullivan has dominated their head to head aside from that, including winning the 2008 and 2012 world finals and the Masters final in 2024.
Can Carter finally turn the tide?
O'Sullivan's foul-mouthed rant against Carter after 2024 Masters final
13:05
,
Luke Baker
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter have plenty of history together and, seemingly, a genuine dislike of one another.
After O’Sullivan beat Carter in the final of the 2024 Masters, Carter accused his opponent of “snotting all over the floor” and other inappropriate behaviour. The Rocket then hit back with an extraordinary rant.
“I’m not going to skirt around it anymore, tip-toeing on eggshells around someone like that. He’s a f*****g nightmare,” said O’Sullivan of Carter.
“Playing snooker against someone like that is a nightmare. He’s not a nice person. It’s not a nice vibe he leaves around the table. I’ve said my piece, I don’t give a s***. You know what he’s like, everybody knows what he’s like. He’s got issues. F*****g why has he got issues with me? I’m not having it. I don’t care, grow some balls.
“I don’t give a f***, I don’t give a f*** about any of these snooker players, any of them. The more he brings it on, the more I f***ing punish him every time. He’s just digging a grave for himself. I don’t give a f***. That’s it, I’ve said my piece.
“He’s got beef with me. He’s got issues, he’s got to sort his life out, he’s got to see a counsellor or something.
“He’s got to deal with that because that’s no good. He’s got to sort it out because I haven’t spoken to him for 20 years. I played with him when he was a kid and shared a lot of stuff with him. For him to come out and try to trash-talk me like that, do you know what? He can have one of them [gesturing a middle finger to the media], he can sit on it as far as I’m concerned.”
Historic Crucible deserves due respect as memories of past tournaments linger
12:55
,
Luke Baker
Twelve months ago Kyren Wilson emerged from a maelstrom of Crucible criticism to claim his first world snooker title and add his name to the list of those who have picked up the sport’s greatest prize since the tournament adopted its current home in 1977.
It is testament to the Championship’s enduring magic that the respective deaths, since Wilson collected his prize, of distant former champions Ray Reardon and Terry Griffiths should have been greeted with such profound sadness and vivid recollections by so many modern stars of the game.
Ronnie O’Sullivan recalled the unlikely coaching link-up with Reardon that helped him add an extra dimension to his game and sweep to his second world title in 2004, while Mark Williams was among many who owed much of their success to the tireless mentoring of Griffiths.
As the column inches devoted to the 40th anniversary of the famous ‘Black Ball Final’ this year have emphasised, snooker is not a sport that allows its history to fade and such memories are inextricably associated with the compact and, frankly, wholly un-modern venue in which they have been made.
Rocket Ronnie expects to remain grounded rather than winning eighth world title
12:49
,
Luke Baker
Ronnie O’Sullivan has painted a bleak picture of his chances of clinching a record-breaking eighth World Snooker Championship title and claims first-round opponent Ali Carter will start as favourite when he gets his 33rd Crucible campaign underway on Tuesday.
O’Sullivan has not played on the World Snooker Tour since he stuffed his cue in a bin after crashing out of the Championship League in January, and after a turbulent time on the practice table he left his participation in doubt until the eve of the tournament.
The 49-year-old believes he is still counting the cost of a rash attempt to change his playing style, and says he has come to the “scary” realisation that he might never recover the form that has seen him universally acclaimed as the best player in the history of the game.
Ronnie O’Sullivan: ‘I was scared to go near a snooker table and I’ve lost my bottle’
12:31
,
Luke Baker
Ronnie O’Sullivan has admitted he was scared to approach a snooker table during his break from the game and fears he has lost his bottle, while also acknowledging that he could still pull out of the upcoming World Snooker Champi