Ssb - o'sullivan 'threatens to quit world championship'

[MySockPuppet]

The Daily Mail reports that Ronnie O'Sullivan has told World Snooker he is withdrawing from the Betfred.com World Championship.

However, O'Sullivan has apparently had a rethink and is consulting with a leading sports psychologist ahead of the Crucible.

According to the newspaper, O'Sullivan said: "Last week I put in a verbal withdrawal to World Snooker and told them I wasn't going to play in Sheffield. That's when it really hit me that this could be it, for five or 10 minutes my heart was pounding.

"I said if it's easier to say I'm retiring then say that. They said that's fine, but we'll give you the weekend to think about it. On Monday they called back, and talked me back into it."

O'Sullivan, who won the world title in 2001, 2004 and 2008, is due to play Dominic Dale in the first round.

He has been largely de-motivated this season, has fallen to tenth in the world rankings and has not won a match in a ranking event since last September's World Open.

The Mail reports that O'Sullivan is consulting with Dr Steve Peters, who advised the British cycling team ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

You can read the story here.


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[Masterdoctorgenius]

is he now playing or not?

[Looki]

He'll be there, I think...

[spike]

Well O'Sullivan says "they talked me back into it", so that would imply he will be at the Crucible..

[The Boss]

He will be there for the full 17 days

[Looki]

He will be there for the full 17 days

Surely he'll meet King in the final?

[jrc750]

Well i hope he does indeed turn up and play well, would be a shame if he walked away altogether.
Publicity stunt ??? lol

[cueman]

Don't know what to make of it this, sounds like it could be a publicity stunt, after all, why go and tell everyone the mental state you are in. Surely you keep things like this under wraps, at least that is what the O'Sullivan in the past has done.

Wouldn't surprise me knowing how Hearn works that this has been timed to create a sensational story which will unravel as the tournament progresses. You can see it now, trouble O'Sullivan nearly quit and yet here he is in the final against his nemesis Mark Selby!!!!

[wildJONESEYE]

He will be there for the full 17 days

lets be honest here if he now goes on to win that article and all this retiring bollox are attention seaking bull.

[MattWilson]

Again though regardless of the article's truth, it puts snooker on the back pages and makes people aware of the imminent World Championships and also makes for easy reading in all the papers, including the widely-read tabloids.

Any publicity = good publicity.

MW

[Ossie]

Have to agree with you there ! Any Publicity has to be good for snooker ......

[cally]

I was shocked to log on and see this thread... (yeah right)

Not like ron to say things like this is it....lol...

[Mr Snooker]

yes seams like a publicity stunt to me to get Snooker in the papers and If Ronnie goes on to win the event I think it will be like The Alex Higgins win of 1982 after what he as been though this season, and if his dad is there with him and the trophy at the end I think it will be very emotional for Ronnie

I am sure he will turn up for his 1st rd match against Dominic and play his best because it is the World Championships

[the montrealer]

HI I hope he plays in the World Snooker Champs 2011 with out him not playing snooker is boring

When he is sound he is the most entertaining snooker player in the World and hope he wins the World Snooker Champs 2011 cheers Leonard from Canada

[jw147]

Maybe this doll will sort his head out, be good to see the old ronnie back, and not the one who is around this season. If he gets his head together i fancy him to win it, after all, he is the best player, by miles.