‘It’s quite a scary prospect’ says Ronnie O’Sullivan as he fears for snooker future after ’embarrassing’ defeat
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN called himself a “numpty” following an “embarrassing” semi-final defeat to Kyren Wilson in China.
The Rocket was humbled 6-4 by the reigning world champion at the Xi’an Grand Prix, though he did battle back from being 5-1 down by winning three successive frames.
O’Sullivan, 48, is frustrated with his game at present and has even resorted to playing LEFT-HANDED for the first time in 15 years in an attempt to rediscover his mojo.
The seven-time world snooker champion moaned: “It’s embarrassing. I couldn’t do anything. I just kept fighting until the end but it was really bad.
“Kyren was so much the better player. I did well to get to four frames. I’m amazed to get a frame off him!
“Listen, I ain’t got a clue where the balls are going. It’s all guesswork out there. It’s quite a scary prospect. Hopefully it doesn’t go on like this forever.
“It’s a hard game. When you’re hitting the balls like I am. I’m just spraying it all over the gaff.
“It’s the semi-finals and I played like an absolute numpty – I call myself a numpty now because that’s how bad it was.
“What can you do? You have to keep going, keep grinding away and on to the next one.”
O’Sullivan, whose highest break in the match was just 87, will look to find some form at a new tournament in Saudi Arabia next week.
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He continued: “There was no groove at all. It was all just instinct.
“I mean the right hand is completely hopeless at the moment. It has been like that for two years. It’s non-existent. I don’t even feel like it belongs to my body.
“I have no choice but to play left-handed. I haven’t played left handed for 14-15 years.
“I just started last week because I was so desperate. I had to do something different. Maybe in a few months my left hand will be better and more reliable.”
Wilson – who will now play either Judd Trump or Daniel Wells in Sunday’s final – sealed the win with a closing 102 break as he chases the £177,000 top prize.
The Warrior, 32, said: “I thought I played really well to go 5-1 up. I hit the ground running.
“I have spent a lot of time with Ronnie in the practice room this week and he has been hitting the balls well.
“Doing a lot left-handed. So it was no surprise to see him hit the balls left-handed on the table. He times it so well it’s unfair.”
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 has three children – two daughters and a son.
And the Rocket’s on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has also hit the headlines.
He has opened up on battles with his weight and addiction.
While the controversial cueist reckons he wasted NINE YEARS of his career by partying too hard.
Despite being worth £14million, O’Sullivan is renowned for his love of canal boats and snubbing flashy cars.
His rivalry with fellow star Judd Trump has been branded ‘snooker’s greatest feud’.
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their infamous ‘Snotgate’ row.
Check out all our latest Ronnie O’Sullivan articles.