Ronnie O’Sullivan says taking up snooker is ‘worst choice I’ve made’ in very honest chat | Other | Sport

Ronnie O’Sullivan has candidly admitted he regrets becoming a professional snooker player despite cementing himself as an all-time great of the sport. The seven-time world champion had been due to begin the defence of his Masters title on Sunday, but has now withdrawn from the Triple Crown event on medical grounds.

The development comes just a day after the 49-year-old pulled out of his final Championship League group game, having been visibly angry with himself during a 3-2 loss to Robert Milkins.

O’Sullivan hammered his cue against the table after missing an easy pink in the match, and later dumped the same cue in the bin before it was retrieved by officials.

Speaking prior to his decision to opt out of the Masters, ‘The Rocket’ was brutally honest in admitting he wished he had taken a different career path. “Taking up snooker,” he told The Telegraph, when asked what his worst life choice was. “In some ways, I wish I had a different job.

“I’m fortunate in many ways, because it’s been good to me, but I wish I’d been good at something else. Something more educational, maybe a scientist or something more interesting. I don’t think my job is interesting. It’s more of an entertainment, more of a brutality sport.”

O’Sullivan has made more than £14million in prize money from snooker, and long been credited for transcending the sport. But he insisted he would rather be in a less lucrative role that had more of a direct impact on other people.

Citing his sports psychologist, the 23-time Triple Crown winner said: “I’d rather have had Steve Peters’ life. Or to inspire people in a different way, like helping to cure cancer.”

Despite his iconic career, O’Sullivan has never made any secret of his indifference towards snooker. He’s frequently threatened to retire from the professional game, and has previously said he wouldn’t want his own children to follow him into the sport.

Early in his career, prior to working with Peters, he was treated for bouts of depression and has also now outlined what he doesn’t like about being on tour. “It’s too much time on your own,” he said. “I’d rather do something where you’re trying to cure something, and you’ve got a team of people.

“I’d rather have been into a team sport rather than on my own. I found just being on my own, it’s quite hard, because you’ve got to motivate yourself, you’ve got to push yourself, you’ve got to figure out all the answers yourself. If I was in a team environment, I think I’d have enjoyed that camaraderie.”

O’Sullivan’s latest withdrawal will come as a blow to organisers and fans at Ally Pally, given he had been given an enticing draw against fellow legend John Higgins in the first round. His place has now been taken by Neil Robertson.