O'Sullivan regret after walkout

Ronnie O’Sullivan tonight expressed regret for his amazing Maplin UK Championship walkout, admitting frustration with his game had got the better of him.

The Rocket added the latest chapter to the story of a career loaded with controversy when he conceded his quarter-final in York against Stephen Hendry after only five frames, trailing 4-1.

The 31-year-old from Essex had just won his first frame and was on a break of 24 when he attempted to cut in a red but missed, and immediately went to shake hands with Hendry and referee Jan Verhaas.

Apart from briefly stopping off at Hendry’s dressing room to wish his opponent well, O’Sullivan immediately left the Barbican Centre without offering any explanation for his actions.

Even by O’Sullivan’s standards it was a dramatic turn of events and officials of World Snooker, the sport’s governing body, must now decide whether to punish the player for the embarrassment he has heaped on their second most prestigious ranking tournament.

In a statement released by his PR representatives, the world number three apologised for letting down his large contingent of supporters and admitted he had done the wrong thing.

“I wish I could have played a better game today but I had a bad day in the office,” said O’Sullivan.

“Anyone who knows me knows I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my game and today I got so annoyed with myself that I lost my patience and walked away from a game that, with hindsight, I should have continued.

“I wish I could have given Steven a better game and I’m sorry I didn’t stick around to sharpen him up for his semi-final.

“I’m also really sorry to let down the fans who came to see me play. It wasn’t my intention to disappoint them and for that I am truly apologetic.

“At this moment I am feeling disappointed with myself and I am hurt and numb, but I am a fighter and I will be back on my feet fighting stronger and harder than ever very soon.”

Hendry insisted he had taken no satisfaction from O’Sullivan’s exit, which meant the Scot was awarded a 9-1 victory that sent him through to a semi-final against Graeme Dott or Steve Davis.

The world number one refused to condemn O’Sullivan, with whom he has clashed in the past, and maintained he would have preferred to continue a match that had promised to be the best of this event so far.

“It’s just bizarre,” said Hendry. “But I’m not going to criticise Ronnie because I don’t know his reasons, his thoughts or if anything is wrong.

“He came into my dressing room and said: ’Good luck for the rest of the tournament.’ I asked if there was anything wrong and he said: ’No. I’m just fed up. I’ve had enough.’

“I would rather have played the match and played really well. I’m not saying I would rather have lost because that would be stupid. I’m in the semi-finals.

“But in a strange way I would rather have played out the match whatever would have happened because I was enjoying it and I was playing well. It was still going to be a very tough match to win.

“Ronnie is the best player I’ve ever played against and at 4-1 I didn’t think the match was won. I didn’t sense from Ronnie that he had given up. There was still a huge match to play and it’s a hollow victory.”

A large audience was expected for the conclusion of the match and World Snooker were forced to offer compensation to those who had bought tickets.

“Probably the only downside of what has happened is that there would have been a massive crowd for the match tonight, especially if it had been close,” added Hendry. “It would have been an amazing atmosphere.

“But I’m not going to lie. It’s a good feeling to be in the next round. I would much rather have won properly, though.”

Experienced referee Verhaas, who has presided over two World Championship finals, believed O’Sullivan’s exit was unprecedented.

“I was stunned,” said the Dutchman. “I thought Ronnie was in a good mood and there was no indication whatsoever that there was anything wrong with him.

“It’s every player’s right to concede a match but I’ve never come across anyone doing it in such a dramatic fashion.”

A statement from World Snooker revealed spectators who had paid to watch the two sessions of the Hendry-O’Sullivan match would be offered tickets for tomorrow’s semi-final between John Higgins and Peter Ebdon.

“It is made clear in literature relating to tickets that players appear circumstances permitting,” read the statement.

“Spectators who bought tickets today will be able to watch the match between Graeme Dott and Steve Davis this afternoon and evening. They will also be offered tickets for tomorrow’s snooker.”