I could get smashed, admits returning Rocket

Ronnie O’Sullivan dramatically called off his snooker sabbatical yesterday, but admitted he may well end up “getting smashed” when he returns to the table to defend his world title in seven weeks’ time.

O’Sullivan won his fourth World Championship in May, but then announced he was taking a break from the sport to deal with personal issues that have dogged him throughout his career.

The 37-year-old made a brief comeback in September at a tournament in Gloucester, but he once again decided to walk away from the sport following a defeat to the unheralded Simon Bedford.

Widely regarded as the best player in the history of the game, O’Sullivan vowed not to return before the end of the season, but he went back on that decision yesterday, revealing he intended to return to the action for this year’s event at the Crucible.

‘The Rocket’ says he has played snooker on just 10 days out of the 302 that have passed since he posed with the famous trophy in Sheffield last May. For that reason, he knows he is taking a massive gamble.

“I’m very match rusty. I haven’t played any matches. I have not been in any intense situations so it’s going to be a tough call to go in there with no match practice behind me,” O’Sullivan said.

“I might get smashed in Sheffield. I’m going in to the unknown. It’s a massive challenge.”

O’Sullivan sought the care of renowned psychologist Dr Steve Peters to help him in his battle against depression, but admits he cannot be sure that his personal problems won’t affect his play when he returns.

“They (the personal issues) possibly could (affect me),” he said.

“That’s the reality of it. I can’t make any guarantees. All I know is that I have to make a start. I have tried to put everything on hold, get things resolved.

“Hopefully they will be resolved. If they are not I will re-address it and see if I am still capable of taking on a commitment of being a professional sportsman. Have the personal problems been resolved? No.”

What is clear is that ‘The Rocket’ has rediscovered his enthusiasm for the game — thanks to a mix of his revulsion at the boredom of everyday life, and his determination to prove his doubters wrong.

“Boredom was a big factor (in coming back),” he continued. I was a bit bored just going out for lunches and chilling out. I thought maybe it was worth giving it another whirl.”