Ronnie O'Sullivan pinpoints when decline will reach new low in despite Saudi Arabia Masters win
Ronnie O'Sullivan
PA
Is Ronnie the Rocket running out of gas? Ronnie O'Sullivan has admitted that he might be out of the top 16 within two years.
It comes after a victory over Zhang Anda at the Saudi Arabia Masters, though the snooker legend was furious with his own performance.
The seven-time world champion is in the quarter-finals of the competition but only by the skin of his teeth.
O'Sullivan went 3-0 down to Zhang in a thrilling clash in Riyadh only to claw himself back to pull off a 6-5 win.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has admitted he is in decline
PA
Before a ball had been potted, the 48-year-old had admitted he was desperate for a marked improvement from himself.
But he was left fuming again with himself and criticised his performance and revealed he could be out of the top 16 within 'two or three' years.
“I played better than I have been playing but still so many mistakes, so many unforced errors and just not good enough, but I have to accept that’s what it is,” he said.
“I’ve been on a steady decline probably for five years, it’s just getting a little bit worse and worse, but you just try and hang on for as long as you can, it happens to everybody.
“That’s the frustrating thing. Normally, I feel like I put enough pressure on my opponents to force them to make mistakes.
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“I’ve spent most of my career just feeling pretty much in control.
"I didn’t realise how much I was in control of matches until I’ve experienced not being in control of matches.
“I just want to try and enjoy it. I ain’t got long left. I’ll be lucky if I’m in the top 16 within the next two or three years, the way I’m playing.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan has not been impressed by his own performances
PA
“It happens to everyone, every sportsman. You have an up and then you stay there for a while and then you have a gradual down. I just have to accept it."
O'Sullivan has been the major draw at the Saudi Arabia Masters with fans flocking from afar to see the Rocket in action.
If the all-time snooker great decides to call it a day, it could be disastrous for the sport due to his popularity.
When asked how he feels himself, he said: “I don’t feel pressure as such. I feel like I want to play alright.
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“Even if I’d lost that match I’d have thought at least I’d played alright in spells and I could live with that.
"But the way I’ve been playing it’s just no fun, it’s really no fun for me.”
O'Sullivan is next in action of the quarter-final of the Saudi Arabian Masters on Thursday when he faces Chinese player Si Jiahui.