Ronnie O’Sullivan says he is ‘enjoying’ his snooker and 'would like' to be in Players Championship

ByNigel Chiu

Updated 13/02/2023 at 15:34 GMT

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan says he just “enjoys playing” after he beat Oliver Lines 4-0 in his held-over qualifying match at the Welsh Open. O’Sullivan needs to reach the final of this week’s tournament in Llandudno to book a place in next week’s Players Championship and he admits he “would like” to be in the event. He plays Ross Muir next on Tuesday.

Ronnie O’Sullivan has described his mentality for snooker tournaments as “like getting on a bike” following his held-over qualifying match victory over Oliver Lines at the Welsh Open.

O’Sullivan was far from his best against Lines, who had several chances in the opening three frames, but capitalised on his opponent’s mistakes to win 4-0.

He will play Ross Muir in the next round on Tuesday in Llandudno.

Welsh Open

Bingham and Zhou tumble out of Welsh Open amid controversial concession calls

26/01/2024 at 23:00

“I just enjoy playing,” he told Eurosport. “I enjoy whatever situation the game throws at me, deal with it as best as I can. It’s just another game of snooker at the end of the day.

“I just try to focus on my own game. I’m not sure what was going through his head. All you can do is just focus on what you have got to do and hopefully make it difficult for your opponent.

“I’ve just been playing the game for so long that you learn to re-focus, get going again. It’s like getting on a bike. Just keep going, keep pedalling and see where it takes you.”

'The best snooker of the match' - O'Sullivan produces 'terrific' clearance

O’Sullivan needs to reach the final of this week’s Welsh Open to qualify for next week’s Players Championship, which sees the top 16 on the one-year ranking list go head-to-head.

Despite winning the Hong Kong Masters and Champion of Champions, which are invitational events, O’Sullivan has struggled in the ranking tournaments.

His best run was at the UK Championship, where he made the quarter-finals before being whitewashed 6-0 by Ding Junhui.

• ‘It’s still going off!’ – Phone disturbs Lines against O’Sullivan then he runs out of position
• Welsh Open 2023 – Latest scores, results, schedule, order of play

The seven-time world champion revealed he has not enjoyed “two or three tournaments this season” but, overall, has found his current campaign “alright” and wants to be in the Players Championship.

“I’d like to be in it,” O’Sullivan added. “But I’ve booked in a couple of exhibitions for next week [in case] because I don’t want to not play.

“It’s highly unlikely I will make that tournament next week, so if I don’t make it at least I’ve got something else to do and can look forward to going to Thailand for the Six-Red World Championship.”

- - -

Stream top snooker action, including the Welsh Open, live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk

Welsh Open

Bingham concedes defeat to Fu despite still having chance of comeback

00:00:44

|

26/01/2024 at 19:52

Welsh Open

Hendry loses to Muir in Welsh Open qualifying, Wilson, Dott and Si advance

26/01/2024 at 09:44

Welsh Open

O'Sullivan handed Welsh Open clash with opponent who called him 'disrespectful'

22/12/2023 at 09:04