Ronnie O'Sullivan has admitted his elbow is causing him issues as he looks to win the English Open.
The 47-year-old previously won the trophy back in 2017 when he beat compatriot Kyren Wilson in the final.
O'Sullivan has got this year's tournament off to a positive start after cruising to a 4-0 win over Andrew Pagett.
But the snooker veteran wasn't operating at the peak of his powers, despite the scoreline suggesting his victory was a formality.
Snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan was too strong for Andrew Pagett in their English Open clash
GETTY
Speaking after his win, O'Sullivan revealed his elbow has been causing him issues but he'd use painkillers in order to overcome it.
He made it clear he doesn't want to reply on them for the long term - but would rather avoid another cortisone injection.
O'Sullivan was fuelled by Mark J Williams' 10-7 victory over Mark Selby in the final of the British Open on Sunday night.
He joked that it still gives him hope given he's playing with one good arm - and his eyes not being as good as they used to be.
And O'Sullivan also said he likes playing in Asia as the promoters 'try and make it special', while also hailing the crowd he plays in front of over in the Far East.
He continued to take aim at fans in an interview with the BBC, saying: "You know the venues, people walking up and down in the crowd, I'd like to see a good promoter get hold of the tournament and make it a bit better.
"Nothing's really changed in 12 years and you just go through the motions in a lot of these tournaments.
"I don't want to be overly critical but sometimes the truth has to be told."
Speaking to Eurosport about when his injury started, he said: "It started in 2022.
"I had it before in 2021 but it was alright, I went into the gym and lifted too many heavy weights and I could barely lift a cup of tea up.
"So from that moment onwards it's just been very weak.
"The injections sort it out but then you aggravate it, you do something and it just goes back to not so good.
"Tennis elbow it's called so hopefully I get someone good to heal it.
"Rehab it, that's the best thing if I can do that.
"I'm a bit lazy really but I've got to do something."
O'Sullivan is now through to the main part of the draw.
Even with his injury issues few would bet against the veteran coming out on top again.
O'Sullivan recently pulled out of the British Open due to 'medical problems'.
A World Snooker Tour statement read: "Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of next week’s Cazoo British Open for medical reasons.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
A win on English soil.
— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) October 2, 2023
Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Andrew Pagett 4-0 on his return to Essex.#EnglishOpen 🏴 pic.twitter.com/spdXBQPkig
"The world number one was due to face Jimmy Robertson in the opening round on Monday, but instead he has been replaced in the draw by Steven Hallworth."
