Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has called on the sport’s governing body to help protect players’ mental health by hiring doctors for major tournaments.
The Masters champion shocked fans when he withdrew from the tournament just two days before his first-round match. O’Sullivan recently broke his cue in frustration after losing to Robert Milkins in the Championship League and believes World Snooker should do more to care for players’ mental welfare.
The seven-time world champion has often spoken openly about his mental health and previously suggested that doctors should attend every snooker competition. This may have stopped O’Sullivan from dropping out of The Masters, having cited exhaustion and the pressure of competition, which could have been spotted earlier by an on-site medical professional.
“I think World Snooker should have somebody. In football, they have masseuses, people sorting out injuries,” O’Sullivan explained on Eurosport. “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.”
O’Sullivan is aware that players have representation on the World Snooker board but has called for a pivotal change to help with their welfare. “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,” O’Sullivan added.
“He’s [Mark Selby] struggled mentally and I struggle mentally and John Higgins struggles mentally. The other 124 are a million per cent 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.
“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.”
In terms of his own mental health, O’Sullivan has explained his reasons for dropping out of The Masters and assured fans that he was coping with his decision. Last year, he clinched a record eighth Masters title with his victory over Ali Carter in the final.