Ronnie Reborn: O’Sullivan Overcomes Fear and Fires to Victory in Crucible Comeback Masterclass

Ronnie O’Sullivan delivered a commanding performance to cruise into the second round of the World Snooker Championship, defeating long-time rival Ali Carter 10-4. Despite a rocky first session and personal doubts about returning to the Crucible, the seven-time world champion found his form just in time to remind everyone why he’s one of the sport’s all-time greats.

The match began as a scrappy affair on Tuesday, with both players clearly feeling the effects of recent struggles—O’Sullivan having not played competitively since January, and Carter dealing with a nagging neck injury. The session ended 5-4 in O’Sullivan’s favour, leaving the tie finely balanced. But by the time play resumed, the dynamic had shifted dramatically.

O’Sullivan stormed through the second session with clinical breaks of 59, 117, 74, and 123, rapidly opening up a 9-4 lead by the mid-session interval. He wasted no time securing victory after the break, finishing with a superb 131 to seal the match.

The Rocket’s triumph is particularly significant given the mental battle he’s been facing. After breaking his cue in January, he’s been adjusting to a new one while also struggling with confidence and motivation. O’Sullivan admitted he considered not competing at all, revealing that he felt “scared” to play at the Crucible—long regarded as one of the most mentally demanding venues in sport.

In a candid post-match interview, he credited renowned psychiatrist Dr. Steve Peters for helping him get through the psychological barrier. “I was scared of performing, imploding out there. I told Steve, and he came to support me. I feel like I’ve already had a win, just by coming out and playing,” said O’Sullivan.

Acknowledging the humbling nature of snooker, O’Sullivan reflected on the self-doubt he’s experienced throughout his career. “This one’s probably been the hardest,” he admitted. Still, he remains committed to continuing his career for at least two more years—possibly longer, if his form holds up. “The sport’s been good to me, and I love the game,” he concluded. “That’s the plan: keep going, keep enjoying it.”