Ronnie O'Sullivan takes positives from defeat to John Higgins at English Open - 'It shows you actually care'

Updated 07/11/2021 at 17:17 GMT

"For a change I was actually quite disappointed because I was playing really well and enjoying playing,” Ronnie O’Sullivan said from the Eurosport studio before the final of the English Open between John Higgins and Neil Robertson. “So to lose when you are playing well is frustrating, as maybe I had some more to give.”

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Ronnie O’Sullivan has spoken of his disappointment after his defeat to John Higgins in the semi-finals of the English Open, but feels it is a positive that he continues to care about performing.

The six-time world champion produced some of his best snooker in some time to power into the last four, and he led Higgins 5-3 in their semi-final clash.

However, he could not get over the line as the Scot fought back to win the match in a deciding frame.

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O’Sullivan has often spoken about not overly caring about results but, after playing so well in Milton Keynes, disappointment was the overriding feeling.

"For a change I was actually quite disappointed because I was playing really well and enjoying playing,” O’Sullivan said from the Eurosport studio before the final of the English Open.

So to lose when you are playing well is frustrating, as maybe I had some more to give.

Snooker is heading into a busy part of the season, and O’Sullivan is looking forward to challenging for titles - as he seeks to end a drought dating back to the World Championship of 2020.

“It’s the way it goes and there are more tournaments to look forward to, so it is good to be a bit disappointed as it shows you actually care,” the 45-year-old said.