Ronnie O’Sullivan has candidly discussed his recent struggles with self-doubt following his defeat in the World Open final on Sunday. The seven-time world champion lost 10-7 to Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in Yushan, despite initially taking a commanding 4-0 lead in the match.
Un-Nooh mounted a remarkable comeback, including a stunning 147-break and three consecutive centuries, ultimately clinching the victory and a £175,000 prize. O’Sullivan, who had previously defeated world No.1 Judd Trump in the semifinals, is now skipping the Tour Championship in Manchester but is setting his sights on the upcoming Snooker World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield starting on April 18.
Expressing his current mindset, O’Sullivan admitted, “I can only take one day, one week at a time. I’ve been struggling to find my form on the match table despite decent performances earlier in the season. I considered not participating in the World Championship due to self-doubt, but now I feel more confident in my abilities.”
Acknowledging Un-Nooh’s superior performance, O’Sullivan acknowledged his opponent’s skill and highlighted his own technical challenges. Despite not winning a ranking title since January 2024, O’Sullivan remains optimistic about his progress and future performances.
Reflecting on the match, O’Sullivan remarked, “Everyone played well against me, and I struggled with certain shots. I need to enhance my game to compete at a higher level. Thepchaiya was exceptional, and I have to accept that he outperformed me. I am focused on continuous improvement and taking each day as it comes.”