Ronnie O’Sullivan on life: ‘I don’t take the snooker too seriously any more’

‘Each match is sort of a vacation’ (Credit: Ken McKay / ITV / REX / Shutterstock / Metro.co.uk)

The Rocket, 46, on consulting a sleep knowledgeable, one of the simplest ways to eat scones and the way dwell audiences change his recreation.

The sixtimes you’ve gained the World Snooker Championship, have you ever felt any totally different going into the match?

It doesn’t matter what kind of kind you are taking into the World Championship, it by no means goes to plan.

The 2 years the place I carried out my greatest snooker, the place I performed unbelievable snooker, going into the 2012 World Championship I didn’t decide my cue up for every week earlier than the match as a result of I used to be simply so poor in follow.

Then I went to Sheffield and had one match and a few follow periods on the desk and I simply began flying, I simply couldn’t miss.

The opposite time, in 2020, I actually hadn’t performed for an entire 12 months and I acquired higher and higher with every match.

I feel it’s the expectation ranges. I’m skilled sufficient to know to not fear about what’s gone earlier than.

Simply go there and hopefully the snooker gods are sort to me.

Ronnie on his method to successful his quarter-final match in opposition to Stephen Maguire (Image: PA)

What ensures you a very good night time’s sleep if you’ve acquired an enormous match arising?

There is no such thing as a assure that I'll have a very good night time’s sleep as a result of I’ve had insomnia for 12 years now.

I watched a programme on TV the opposite day with Michael Mosley. He was doing analysis on individuals who have insomnia and I didn’t realise there have been so many varieties.

I feel I’ve acquired insomnia upkeep issues.

What does that imply?

It’s principally the place you don't have any drawback attending to sleep however then you definitely get up and spend all night time mendacity there, attempting to get again to sleep.

What they acquired this girl doing within the present was to rise up for quarter-hour after which return to sleep. It labored for her. I’m unsure it can work for me.

To begin with, you need to diagnose what it's that’s holding you again from sleeping.

After the World Championship I’m going to go and see a sleep knowledgeable. I wish to do no matter it takes to establish what’s incorrect with me, then try to right it.

Ronnie is world-class even along with his insomnia (Image: PA)

How do you rejoice as of late? You don’t drink any extra…

I generally do have a few drinks. I may need two or three halves of Guinness. That’s all the time slightly little bit of a celebration for me.

I’ll in all probability have a scone with clotted cream on it, which is considered one of my go-to meals throughout a match.

I do know that if I've a scone with clotted cream and jam, it form of holds me by way of the entire match however with out feeling too heavy on the abdomen.

I’ll indulge slightly bit in that.

Are you jam or cream first?

Jam first. I was cream first however now it’s positively jam after which cream on high. It seems to be higher.

Do you favor having a dwell viewers?

Within the first 12 months of Covid I loved the peacefulness of enjoying in tournaments with no crowd. You can simply get out and in of the venue and play snooker.

However the downfall of not having a crowd was that generally you neglect individuals are watching you at house.

I might get to some tournaments and assume, ‘Ah, I’m probably not feeling this at the moment.’ I performed in 5 finals that 12 months and for 2 of them I attempted arduous.

The opposite three, I simply thought, ‘The sooner I can get out of right here, the higher.’

So I misplaced three finals.

If the gang was there they'd actually give me a tough time. They'd have been, ‘Come on, Ronnie, you’re not attempting!’

Having crowds again is the rationale why I’ve gained a match this 12 months and been competing at a better stage than I used to be perhaps final 12 months.

Ronnie doesn’t get confused about snooker anymore, however enjoys the expertise (Image: Tai Chengzhe / Visible China Group by way of Getty Photos)

Who's the primary particular person you wish to see after a match?

I've my mate Robbie, who comes with me to all of the tournaments. I say to him, ‘Right here’s my diary. Right here’s the tournaments I’m enjoying in. Simply come down, mate. There’s all the time a mattress there for you, a little bit of breakfast, relax, watch a little bit of snooker.’

I don’t take the snooker too significantly any extra. We’re capable of take pleasure in it. Each match is sort of a vacation. I take advantage of each now.

I really like being away from house. I really like my life and my way of life and I really like what I do.

Is there one factor in your life you haven’t acquired proper now that you just assume you want?

I’d like to be operating higher. I put a lot effort in. It’s so irritating as a result of I’m all proper however I have a look at a few of these different guys they usually’re simply fast, they’re quick.

I’m all the time driving my coach mad, asking him, ‘How do I get quicker?’ Each time I strive, I get injured. I’ve needed to settle for that I’m only a plodder.

What else is in your to-do checklist?

Truly, I’m going to go and decide my daughter up this week. She’s 16 and in her GCSEs 12 months, so she’s revising lots.

I haven’t seen a whole lot of my kids as a result of I’m all the time away.

They’re on the age now the place they only wish to do what they wish to do. So she’s graced me with slightly window of her time. I’ll take her out for a pizza then drop her off so she will be able to do extra revision.

And I’ll be assembly up with a few of my pals quickly. We’re going to have slightly feast on the home.

Desserts and tea and a civilised dialog about… sure issues.

Watch the World Championship dwell on Discovery+ and Eurosport till Monday

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