EXCLUSIVE: Ronnie O'Sullivan: 'What boosted my frame of mind ahead of Masters defence'

ByRonnie O'Sullivan

Updated 12/01/2017 at 13:05 GMT

Ronnie O'Sullivan begins his bid for a record seventh Masters title against Liang Wenbo on Sunday at London's Alexandra Palace. Here the defending champion explains to Desmond Kane why time spent away from home since September has been kind to him ahead of his bid to move ahead of Stephen Hendry as the most prolific winner of snooker's biggest invitational event.

Ronnie O'Sullivan has won the Masters six times.

Image credit: Eurosport

'MASTERS IN LONDON A VERY SPECIAL TOURNAMENT'

I’m looking forward to the Masters in London as I always do. It will be tough, but that's what makes it so special.

I've lowered my expectations since not focusing totally on snooker.

World Championship

World Championship LIVE - O'Sullivan resumes with commanding lead

3 hours ago

Eurosport Player special offer: 12 months for only £19.99

I now look to enjoy the events and if I win, great. If not it's back to the pundit box, or doing some work on my new novels.

As Steve Davis has said, 'don't use that as an excuse if you don't win'. That was a good bit of advice.

I don't see myself as the favourite going there as there are top players doing better than me, and winning the big events.

Having said that, if my game comes together and I get a bit of luck, you never know.

'GAME BACK TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE'

Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Alexandra Palace.

Image credit: Eurosport

It was a good week for me at the UK Championship in York last month where I played some decent stuff in losing to Mark Selby in the final.

I’d say from the Northern Irish Open in Belfast in November onwards, my game has been back to where it should be.

I’ve still a few things to get right, but it's not all bad. And it wasn't just all good because of the snooker.

The main aim for me while I've been on the road, is it to find a way to make it fun and interesting. I’ve managed that. In some ways, it's felt like an all-expenses paid holiday.

I met some great running friends in Belfast, and got some great runs in. That’s always a good thing for me to get done in my day.

It was the same in York when I met up with some nice people, talked a lot about running and enjoyed some amazing food.

The only drawback from York was that I missed Jimmy White and Neal Foulds in the studio, but I did get to spend time with the Eurosport guys in York, and we had a laugh.

Some of my friends from China came to York which was fantastic, too. They are the best.

'I DON'T FEEL TRAPPED'

The weird thing is, I've only been home seven nights since September 8.

That's seven nights in four months, and the only reason I've been able to hack it is because I've had other things to take my mind off the snooker.

The new book, my Eurosport ambassador work, the exhibitions and the snooker tournaments have been an add on.

I don't feel trapped which is fantastic. Don't get me wrong, I'm still highly competitive. But I believe I'm better when I have other things to take my mind off the pressure of having to perform to win events.

This way, I get to enjoy my time and what I do regardless of the results. It is a win-win situation I just hope we get to play in some more wonderful cities.

I've become more businesslike in my approach to what I do. And i suppose that is something that comes with age. I know my perspective has changed a lot from my early days, and I feel much better for it.

I’m really looking to the New Year, here's hoping it is a good one for the sport and fans.

Follow live coverage of the Masters at Alexandra Palace on Eurosport from Sunday, January 15 until Sunday, January 22.

World Championship