RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has teamed up with long-time psychiatrist Steve Peters ahead of his Crucible comeback.
Four of The Rocket‘s seven world triumphs have occurred with Peters in his corner.
AlamyRonnie O’Sullivan was given a hero’s welcome at the World Championship open day on Friday[/caption]
RexThe seven-time world champion admits he may still drop out of the tournament[/caption]
And, in a warning to the rest of the field, that relationship is back on this time.
O’Sullivan snapped a cue in anger in January and weeks ago, he told SunSport he was struggling to find a suitable replacement.
The former world No 1 does have one now but, while he hit two 147s in practice at his academy in Saudi Arabia, he has urged caution with regards to this latest piece of wood.
The potting GOAT said: “I’ve got a cue. I got given it.
“I’ve had this one for three or four months sitting in a rack. I tried it out and it was OK.
“Listen, it’s a lot of difference hitting a 147 in exhibitions to coming to the Crucible and playing the best players in the world.
“I practised with Barry Hawkins for a couple of days and, on the second day, it was that bad I quit.
“Barry said, ‘It’s not as bad as you think’.
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“I was like, ‘Really?’ And he said, ‘It’s just maybe concentration’. So I held on to that.”
O’Sullivan fears he has lost his bottle — and warned he may quit the World Snooker Championship if he has “a meltdown”.
The Rocket, 49, is slated for a blockbuster first-round clash with nemesis Ali Carter next week.
But while he is committed to play at the Crucible for the 33rd successive time, he has told fans he “doesn’t have any expectations”.
And, having pulled out of five events on ‘medical grounds’, there is the prospect he might wake up after the Bank Holiday weekend and simply think: ‘I don’t fancy this — I’m going home’.
O’Sullivan, who has been unhappy with his technique, said: “I’m not playing until Tuesday.
“So if I have a meltdown, who knows? I might still bloody withdraw. I hope I don’t.
“I’m surprised I’m here but I’m here. I don’t have any expectations.
“I’d just like to not feel all at sea out there. If I can just play and at least feel semi-competitive, I’d be happy with that.
“Could I win the whole thing? I doubt it. I’d be very happy to just give Ali a game.
“I’m nearly 50 now and there’s a lot of young guys who are hungry and competing all the time. It’s a bit different to say 2012, 2013.”
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