Ronnie O’Sullivan pulls out of next week’s Welsh Open with an emotional apology to fans – with the snooker legend revealing he’s suffering from ‘stage fright brought on by anxiety’
- Ronnie O’Sullivan has shared an emotional statement confirming his withdrawal
- The snooker great withdrew from the German Masters after a successful run
- The 48-year-old revealed he recently suffered from ‘stage fright’
Ronnie O’Sullivan confirmed to fans he is withdrawing from next week’s Welsh Open, with the snooker legend revealing he is suffering from ‘stage fright’.
O’Sullivan, who has previously been very open about his mental health struggles, apologized to fans on social media by confirming he would not take part in the tournament, which starts in Llandudno on Monday.
As he headed to
‘It’s hard to explain, but I’ve been suffering from stage fright for years, caused by fear.
“It’s not something I can predict or control, but I’m trying to deal with it as best I can.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan confirmed to fans he is withdrawing from next week’s Welsh Open
The snooker legend reported that he is suffering from ‘stage fright caused by anxiety’
The snooker great also withdrew from the German Masters in January due to ‘health and wellbeing reasons’.
Despite winning the last three tournaments he has competed in (the UK Open, the Masters and the Grand Prix), O’Sullivan admitted the season had been ‘tiring and challenging’ for him.
Following the veteran’s prolific run, snooker rival Neil Robertson claimed O’Sullivan had been ‘pretty terrible’ this season despite his success, after the Rocket was critical of his own performances.
“We’ve probably seen that with Ronnie lately. Let’s be honest, he has played quite poorly, but he has been able to keep winning because people are missing blacks from the spot, pinks from the spot,” Robertson said ahead of the German Masters.
‘He has gained a reputation this season as being unbeatable, even though he has played terribly.
“He’s already talked about it himself, it almost makes him laugh, people just can’t put him away.”
Before withdrawing from the German Masters, O’Sullivan enjoyed great success, winning the last three tournaments he entered: the UK Open, the Masters and the Grand Prix
O’Sullivan’s break from the table coincided with his row against the leaders of the World Snooker Tour
O’Sullivan’s break from the table coincided with his row against the leaders of the World Snooker Tour, whom he criticized for not allowing players to take part in unsanctioned events in China.
Ahead of his triumphant New Year’s run, the 48-year-old sensationally threatened to quit the sport if he and others were not allowed to compete in these events, which generate more money than those in Britain.
The Welsh Open starts on Monday and ends on Sunday, February 18.