Ronnie O’Sullivan has demanded snooker bosses appoint a doctor to look after the mental welfare of the sport’s stars.
The reigning Masters champion relinquished the chance to retain his title just two days before he was due to take on John Higgins in the first round by withdrawing from the tournament.
The decision came in the aftermath of O’Sullivan snapping his cue following a defeat to Robert Milkins in snooker’s Championship League. And he has now spoken out and urged for World Snooker to take action and support players who could be struggling mentally.
Speaking on Eurosport, O’Sullivan said: “I think World Snooker should have somebody. In football, they have masseuses, people sorting out injuries. I think snooker should have someone at the tournament employed as like if someone is struggling, they’ve come off the table, ‘do you need 10 minutes with someone?’
“I’m not saying everyone will go in there but I just think a lot of players suffer in silence basically. I can tell, just look at them and they’re struggling. They should have someone to go and talk to.
“I think that’s so important. You have coaches sorting your correction out but really you need someone just to unload a bit. I think it would really help the players.
“I know Shaun Murphy is part of the panel but they could find the money to employ someone full-time to be there for the players. It really is tough mentally.
“He’s [Mark Selby] struggled mentally and I struggle mentally and John Higgins struggles mentally. The other 124 are a million percent struggling mentally but you’re not allowed: ‘oh, what’s the matter? You’re a snooker player, you’re getting paid this and that’. Well, it’s not about the money. It’s just pride of performance.
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“You want to put a show on for the crowd, you want to put a show on for yourself, you want to play well and when you don’t it can really drive you crazy. Sometimes, a little five, 10 minutes: ‘I’m alright now, I can sleep now and look forward to tomorrow’. Instead of going back and beating yourself up.”
And while O’Sullivan has urged more to be done when it comes to the welfare of snooker’s biggest stars, he has assured fans that he is fine following his Masters withdrawal. He said that he was “alright” but did concede that it was a “nightmare” decision to withdraw from the Masters. O’Sullivan beat Ali Carter in the final last year to secure a record eighth crown.
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