O'Sullivan 'struggled to stay awake' in defeat to Cahill
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 23/04/2019 at 12:37 GMT
Ronnie O'Sullivan says he felt 'horrendous' and was 'struggling to stay awake' during his shock defeat to amateur James Cahill in the first round of the World Championship.
Ronnie O'Sullivan reacts during his defeat against James Cahill in the opening round of the world snooker championship at Crucible Theatre on April 23, 2019 in Sheffield, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/04/23/2571791-53334530-2560-1440.jpg)
'That's what pressure does!' - O'Sullivan misses easy pink
The world No 1, who returned in the morning session with a closely-trimmed haircut, fought to 8-8 but could not stop his 23-year-old opponent clinching arguably the biggest shock in snooker history after a slew of mistakes under pressure.
After the match, O'Sullivan told the BBC: "I felt horrendous. I was struggling to stay awake.
I haven't felt great for a few weeks and I have not slept brilliantly the past couple of nights.
"You have to come here physically and mentally well. If you are not 100% it will make it harder. I tried to hang in there and get through and have a few days off.
"He did well. He held himself together. It's been a very successful season for me, but it wasn't meant to be."
Cahill, on the other hand, said he was struggling for different reasons.
"I could barely stand up at the end," he said. "I am not really sure what to say.
I scored a good pressure 70 to go 6-5 up and after that I felt like he was the one under pressure. He didn't want to lose to me.
"I have always believed in myself and that I can beat anyone on my day. I want to show what I can do now."
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement