Ronnie O'Sullivan goes back to psychiatrist again after two years of 'driving myself mad'

Ronnie O'Sullivan goes back to psychiatrist again after two years of 'driving myself mad'

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 04/04/2024

- 10:34

Ronnie O'Sullivan has worked with Dr Steve Peters throughout his career with the snooker icon once describing the psychiatrist as a 'father figure'.

Ronnie O'Sullivan has revealed he's gone back to Dr Steve Peters to help him get out of the current slump he finds himself in, despite being on the verge of the most successful season of his career.

The 'Rocket' has won five tournaments this campaign and stands a good chance of clinching all three Triple Crown titles in the same season for the first time in his illustrious career.


Despite adding even more silverware to his bulging trophy cabinet, O'Sullivan has repeatedly stated how he's unhappy with the way he's been playing.

He withdrew from the Welsh Open earlier this year after revealing he's "suffered from stage fright brought on by anxiety".

Ronnie O'Sullivan is not happy with his current form

Ronnie O'Sullivan is not happy with his current form

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The 48-year-old was back in action on Wednesday in the quarter-final of the Tour Championship and thrashed rival Ali Carter 10-2 to progress to the final four.

But O'Sullivan cut a gloomy figure afterwards and revealed he's gone back to Dr Peters to try and find a way of dealing with his emotions better.

"I've just decided I'm going to change my thinking and then forget about trying to fathom my game," O'Sullivan told ITV.

"I've changed my thinking and I can accept whatever's thrown at me then I'll just take whatever.

"It's been a hard year. Drove myself pretty much insane really just trying to find some form.

"It's got to me to be honest so I've decided to speak to Steve Peters and said 'Iook, I can't. I'm just not happy at the minute'.

"So I've just had to go back to basics and I'm just gonna try and get my head right and whatever my game is, hopefully I can just deal with it.

"Doing it the other way round isn't working at the moment."

Ronnie O'Sullivan has reached back out to Dr Steve Peters

Ronnie O'Sullivan has reached back out to Dr Steve Peters

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He added: "It's just accepting how I play.

"I've had to accept everything I've been given today. It's been hard.

"You can't be perfect all the time. Trying to be perfect all the time is just not ideal.

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Ronnie O'Sullivan credited Steve Peters with his win at the 2022 World Championships

Ronnie O'Sullivan credited Steve Peters with his win at the 2022 World Championships

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"I've driven myself mad for the last two years and I've not enjoyed any of it."

O'Sullivan has been open about his struggles with mental health throughout his career and came close to walking away from the sport for good in 2011.

After a reluctant sit down with Dr Peters, O'Sullivan began to open up more and credited the sports psychiatrist with his 2020 world title.

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