DEVASTATED Ronnie O’Sullivan immediately rejected a job offer live on TV – after being put on the spot following his shock World Championship semi-final loss.
The Rocket’s bid for a record eighth Crucible crown ended with a 17-7 defeat against Zhao Xintong.
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O’Sullivan revealed afterwards he was “confused” by his game as he “struggles” to accept what he calls “four bad years” with the cue.
Making changes to his equipment DURING the match surely didn’t help.
But although he is pondering his long-term situation with uncertainty, he had no such qualms when questioned about a role in the short-term.
O’Sullivan has been doing punditry work for TNT Sports at the Crucible inbetween his own matches.
And a TNT interviewer asked the 49-year-old if he’d be behind the mike again in the studio for the last three days of the World Championship.
The Rocket quickly replied: “I won’t be there for the rest of this tournament, I’ll be going home now.”
O’Sullivan was more worried by the state of the game – even though he’d sat out the past four months due to cue problems.
He said of his exit: “I felt I missed a lot of shots, made it quite easy for him.
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“I’ve been bad for about four years. I didn’t even know how to correct some faults – that’s the worrying thing.
“I think I’ve lost some of the things I used to have. I don’t even know what I used to have – I’m so confused!
“It’s not even like I’ve been playing well on the practice table. so not a lot of positives. so I don’t know where to go from there.
“I’m probably a bit more proud of what I’ve done in the past – because I’m going through a struggle right now.”
But he was gracious in defeat – warmly embracing Zhao.
O’Sullivan praised the 28-year-old Chinese ace – who idolises him and was at times guided by the Rocket during his rise to the top.
O’Sullivan said: “He’s amazing, a great boy. It’s great for the game. Fantastic for him to reach the final.”