‘I'm so confused.. it's a struggle' – Ronnie O'Sullivan gives worrying interview after World Snooker Championship KO
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN feels dazed and confused and is unsure if he will ever recover from his most crushing Crucible loss.
The Rocket, 49, was hammered 17-7 in the semi-finals by magnificent Zhao Xintong, who won with a session to spare, and is in line to become China's first world snooker champion.
Advertisement
2
Ronnie O'Sullivan gave a worrying interview after exiting the World Snooker Championship
2
He was well beaten by Zhao Xintong in the semis
Credit: Getty
It is 31 years since
Qualifier Xintong, 28,
O'Sullivan –
'I have lost what I used to have. I'm so confused. It feels really a struggle.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN SNOOKER
'I don't know if it was me, the cue tip or the ferrule. I didn't know where the white ball was going.
'I tried something different with my cue. I tried to go back to the old brass ferrule.
'I wasn't surprised (by the session loss). I've been playing like that in practice. It's hard to get my head around it. I can't even fix it, that's the problem. I don't know if I can fix it.
'I want to give it two years but if you play like that, it's pretty pointless. It's not good.
Advertisement
Most read in Snooker
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
'I have been like that for four years, trying to grind it out. I didn't have a clue where the cue ball was going. I have been willing it into the hole.
'I don't know how to correct the fault. That's the worrying thing. I'm so far away – I don't even know where to begin.
Ronnie O'Sullivan's match descends into chaos as table BREAKS during World Snooker Championship semi-final
List of all-time Snooker World Champions
BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year.
The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport.
The first World Championships ran from 1927 - with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport.
Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period.
1969 - John Spencer
1970 -
1971 - John Spencer
1972 - Alex Higgins
1973 - Ray Reardon (2)
1974 - Ray Reardon (3)
1975 - Ray Reardon (4)
1976 - Ray Reardon (5)
1977 - John Spencer (2)
1978 - Ray Reardon (6)
1979 - Terry Griffiths
1980 - Cliff Thorburn
1981 -
1982 - Alex Higgins (2)
1983 - Steve Davis (2)
1984 - Steve Davis (3)
1985 -
1986 - Joe Johnson
1987 - Steve Davis (4)
1988 - Steve Davis (5)
1989 - Steve Davis (6)
1990 -
1991 - John Parrott
1992 - Stephen Hendry (2)
1993 - Stephen Hendry (3)
1994 - Stephen Hendry (4)
1995 - Stephen Hendry (5)
1996 - Stephen Hendry (6)
1997 -
1998 -
1999 - Stephen Hendry (7)
2000 -
2001 -
2002 -
2003 - Mark Williams (2)
2004 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (2)
2005 - Shaun Murphy
2006 - Graeme Dott
2007 - John Higgins (2)
2008 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (3)
2009 - John Higgins (3)
2010 - Neil Robertson
2011 - John Higgins (4)
2012 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (4)
2013 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (5)
2014 -
2015 -
2016 - Mark Selby (2)
2017 - Mark Selby (3)
2018 - Mark Williams (3)
2019 -
2020 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (6)
2021 - Mark Selby (4)
2022 - Ronnie O'Sullivan (7)
2023 -
2024 -
Most World Titles
(modern era)
7 - Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan
6 - Ray Reardon, Steve Davis
4 - John Higgins, Mark Selby
3 - John Spencer, Mark Williams
2 - Alex Higgins
'I've been awful for quite a while. I never gave him a game and that's disappointing.
Advertisement
'Zhao played good and deserved his victory. He played better than me.'
O'Sullivan, the seven-time world champion, came into the evening session 12-4 down after a horror show and opened up by winning frames 17 and 18.
Yet every time he missed a ball, Xintong invariably punished him, sometimes in one visit, and often with an outstanding long pot.
The fans who cried 'come on, Ronnie' soon fell silent as Xintong claimed the five frames he needed in the evening session to book his spot in a maiden final.
Advertisement
The pair embraced at the end and Xintong, who top scored with a 128, wanted the crowd to clap off O'Sullivan.
Inside Ronnie's colourful career
FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.
The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it.
O'Sullivan
And the Rocket's
He has
While the controversial cueist reckons he
Despite
His
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their
Check out all our
But the defeated man 'tried to get off as quick as I could because it was his moment to enjoy'.
He added: 'If Zhao wins the world title, it would be amazing. He would be a mega star. Amazing for snooker and his life as well.'
Stephen Hendry, who was on BBC commentary duties, will be very pleased that his joint record of seven world crowns will remain intact for another 12 months at least.
Advertisement
Amateur Xintong – who returned from a 20-month corruption ban last September – has the advantage of a day off before facing either Judd Trump or Mark Williams over 35 frames on Sunday and Monday.
He said: 'I can't believe this. I want to play like an exhibition. I want to enjoy this.
'Sometimes the crowd are cheering for Ronnie and it was nervous for me. But he deserved that. He's a legend.
'I have to say thank you to Ronnie, he helped me a lot before. I don't want to win at the Crucible like this. Hopefully he can go to No.8 here. He's my idol.
Advertisement
'It's an amazing time for me. I will have a big lunch. Don't think about snooker.'
World Snooker Tour will now stage a Big Break-style exhibition on Saturday afternoon in the session where this match would have been played and are not offering refunds.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Chaos as England's U21s Euros quarter-final win over Spain ends in mass brawl as Ashley Cole is forced to step in
CHAOS erupted at the final whistle as England beat Spain 3-1 to set up an Euro U21 semi-final against Holland. The holders will battle the Dutch in Bratislava on Wednesday for a place in the European Championship final. 2 James McAtee led the way as England booked their place in the Euro U21s semis Credit: Getty 2 Harvey Elliott also scored in a 3-1 win over Spain Credit: Getty James McAtee and Harvey Elliott showed the precision of a Spanish archer to take the lead in a lightning quick start before Eliot Anderson wrapped things up with a late penalty. Despite handing their much-fancied opponents a lifeline before the break, England held firm in Tranava to roar on. But the match ended in chaos as players from both sides clashed in a touchline fracas, with former Leeds man Charlie Cresswell at the centre of things. Tempers spilled over as unsettling scenes of shirt-grabbing and shoving took centre stage. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL And it even needed Chelsea legend and England coach Ashley Cole to step in and break up the ruckus amid fears of a red card for a Young Lion. Six members of Lee Carsley's army headed to the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho, where Big Sam Allardyce won his only game in charge of England in 2016, with happy memories. Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Jarell Quansah, Alex Scott, Samuel Iling-Junior and Ronnie Edwards were all returning to the scene of their 2022 Under-19 Euro triumph with England. And it proved to be a happy hunting ground once again as they refused to relinquish their grip on the trophy. Most read in Football Only Quansah and Scott out of them started here as Carsley rang the changes after Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Germany. In came Tino Livramento for Iling-Junior, Tyler Morton replaced Elliot Anderson in midfield, captain James McAtee took over from Ethan Nwaneri. The fourth, and biggest eyebrow raiser, was the inclusion of Birmingham City's Jay Stansfield over Jonathan Rowe as Carsley opted for a more traditional No9 in attack for the first time this tournament. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Meanwhile, Leeds striker Mateo Joseph, whose father is cousins with ex-England star Emile Heskey, was the man tasked with leading the Spanish attack against the Three Lions. Though our boys had more than just him to worry. England u21s clash with Germany SUSPENDED as stadium plunged into semi-darkness and players taken off pitch In-demand Valencia midfield duo Javi Guerra and Diego Lopez and Las Palmas' Alberto Moleiro were the three matadors ordered to provide the magic for him. Lopez was straight into it, heading over before a minute had passed and then 30 seconds later his shot hit Charlie Cresswell's arm and the ref pointed to the spot. Fortunately, England survived as a VAR check led to the Italian official Simone Sozza overturning his decision. And Carsley's men roared back to turn a potential nightmare start into a dream one. Alex Scott's corner flicked off a defender's head and the Spaniards failed to deal with and allowed McAtee to pounce and drill home from eight yards. Moments later the Young Lions doubled their advantage when Quansah powered forward and thundered a strike towards goal. It was too much for Alejandro Iturbe, and Elliott reacted quickest to slot home after the keeper spilled it. Spain were stunned and struggled to threaten until they were gifted a way back into it. Scott's sloppiness allowed Moleiro to nick it, dart into the box before going down after colliding with Quansah's outstretched left leg. Guerra, after a lengthy delay, kept his cool to send James Beadle the wrong way to leave the game on a knife edge going into the break. England shot out the traps after the restart as Quansah found Omari Hutchinson on the edge of the box. The Ipswich winger's brilliant backheel set Stansfield free, but his strike was deflected over. Cresswell headed Elliot's corner into the side-netting but it was Beadle's heroics that kept their lead on the hour with a superb double save to deny Guerra. Spain were beginning to pile on the pressure as Cresswell threw his body in front of a stinger from Moleiro. But for all of their play and passing, they just could not find a way through as their hopes died right at the death when Beadle saved low down from Roberto Fernandez. Nottingham Forest ace Anderson then stepped up to the spot to fire home a penalty at the death, knocking the stuffing out of Spain for good. It was a display to make Sir Francis Drake proud. Now bring on the Dutch.
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Barcelona and Bayern legend's son, 20, has two-minute nightmare at U21 Euros and leaves pitch with head in hands
A BARCELONA and Bayern Munich legend's son had a nightmare couple of minutes at the Under-21 Euros. Ruben van Bommel - son of Mark - started for Holland in their quarter-final clash with Portugal. 5 Ruben van Bommel was sent off in Holland's Euro U21s quarter-final Credit: Getty 5 The son of Mark van Bommel picked up two yellows within two minutes Credit: Getty 5 He buried his face in his shirt as he trudged off Credit: Getty But he was sent off before the midway point of the first half in Slovakia. Van Bommel Jr, 20, picked up his first yellow card for a shove on 19 minutes. And in the 21st, he made a cynical tackle on Chelsea new-boy Geovany Quenda as the teenage winger tried to launch a counter attack. That left Georgian referee Goga Kikacheishvili with a decision to make. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL And he brandished a second yellow to send Van Bommel for an early bath. The AZ youngster was evidently gutted. He trudged off the pitch heartbroken with his head buried in his hands and covered by his shirt. The 6ft 3ins star had a brief conversation with a member of the Dutch coaching staff before heading down the tunnel. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS His captain Devyne Rensch remonstrated with the official but his protests came to nothing and England u21s clash with Germany SUSPENDED as stadium plunged into semi-darkness and players taken off pitch Especially when, just ten minutes after the red card, Rensch conceded a penalty. But The Dutch defence - featuring Ian Maatsen - stood firm for the remainder of the tie before substitute Ernest Poku grabbed a dramatic late winner for Holland to send them into the semis. 5 Geovany Quenda struck his penalty against the post Credit: Getty 5 Ernest Poku grabbed a dramatic late winner Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Iconic 94-year-old football stadium looks unrecognisable as building site after work begins on £86million renovation
FIORENTINA'S iconic stadium looks unrecognisable after building work began on a stunning £86million renovation. The Stadio Artemio Franchi is one of the most famous arenas in Italy after being constructed in 1931 — making it 94 years old. Advertisement 4 Fiorentina's Stadio Artemio Franchi looks unrecognisable amid building work Credit: X 4 A stunning £86million renovation project is underway at the iconic arena Credit: X Located in Florence, it holds 47,282 fans and once saw a record 58,271 pack in for But after going several previous renovations in 1990 and 2013, the Artemio Franchi is once again under the knife for a brand new reconstruction. Work started last year on an £86m plan to rebuild several stands while modernising existing infrastructure. It's expected to be completed in the summer of 2026. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL And with the Serie A season at an end, contractors have been able to finally raise scaffolding all over the stadium, just weeks after a raging The lengthy work means any future home matches will be played with a reduced capacity, with Fiorentina chiefs having already secured a reduction in rent. Club president Rocco Commisso is hopeful that all work will be completed by the deadline, saying: 'For the good of Fiorentina, we must work together and do everything possibly to complete the renovation quickly. 'A partially functioning stadium makes no sense.' Advertisement Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Fiorentina finished sixth in Serie A this season, securing another year in the Conference League. The Italians have already lost two finals of the relatively-new competition to West Ham and Olympiacos. Cesc Fabregas' Como told to make new stadium smaller amid fears stunning lakeside views could disappear 4 The Artemio Franchi is 94 years old and has held games for two World Cups in Italy Credit: Getty Advertisement 4 Several massive musicians have held concerts there too Credit: Getty While this term they were KO'd in the semis by Real Betis, who went on to lose the final 4-1 to Chelsea. Their Artemio Franchi arena has played host to some memorable events, including the 1934 and 1990 World Cups. It's also hosted Italy's national football and rugby teams while also playing host to a number of non-sporting events. Advertisement David Bowie, Madonna and Bruce Springsteen are among the superstars to have played there. While in 1954, local legend claims that UFOs travelling at high speed stopped directly over the stadium during a reserve game before coating the Artemio Franchi in a 'silvery glitter.'
