Ronnie is seeking help after considering WC withdrawal.

'Rocket' Ronnie O'Sullivan seeks help from shrink to rescue his snooker career

By David Kent
Last updated at 1:16 AM on 13th April 2011

Ronnie O'Sullivan has turned to a leading sports psychiatrist in a bid to save his career and take his place at Saturday's Betfred.com World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.

The three-time world champion, who has not followed through with his verbal declaration to withdraw from the tournament, will this week travel to meet Dr Steve Peters, the mind guru who helped deliver Great Britain eight cycling gold medals in Beijing three years ago.

After a miserable campaign featuring first-round exits in his last four tournaments and a slide to No 10 in the world rankings, the move has the feel of a final throw of the dice for O'Sullivan.

He has again recently threatened retirement - and sensationally informed World Snooker on the telephone last week of his decision to pull out of the 17-day blue-riband event.

Asked for confirmation in writing of his decision and given the weekend to mull it over, the troubled star reconsidered on Monday in a dramatic U-turn.

The former world No 1, who is due to face Wales's Dominic Dale over the best of 19 frames on Monday, said: 'I am about to go and see the man who worked with the GB Olympic cycling team later this week.

'He has a very good reputation. I'll be honest with him, I'm not sure what he can do to help me - but there is that small chance that he can.

'My problem is not that I can't get over the winning line, or that I don't believe I am good enough. I can win and I know if I'm playing well I beat all bar a couple.

'But a friend said to me in China you should see this bloke. I will try anything that might work.

'It just sounds too good to be true if after all these years someone makes it all come back, and I start enjoying it again and finding all my shots.'

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn has been fiercely critical of O'Sullivan's commitment to the sport this year - and missing the Sheffield showpiece would surely have spelled the end for snooker's biggest draw.

O'Sullivan, who missed 12 events during the campaign for medical and personal reasons, added: 'Last week I put in a verbal withdrawal to World Snooker and told them I wasn't going to play in Sheffield. That's when it really hit me that this could be it, for five or 10 minutes my heart was pounding.

'I said if it's easier to say I'm retiring then say that. They said that's fine, but we'll give you the weekend to think about it. On Monday they called back, and talked me back into it.'

O'SULLIVAN 'THREATENS TO QUIT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP'
The Daily Mail reports that Ronnie O'Sullivan has told World Snooker he is withdrawing from the Betfred.com World Championship.

However, O'Sullivan has apparently had a rethink and is consulting with a leading sports psychologist ahead of the Crucible.

According to the newspaper, O'Sullivan said: "Last week I put in a verbal withdrawal to World Snooker and told them I wasn't going to play in Sheffield. That's when it really hit me that this could be it, for five or 10 minutes my heart was pounding.

"I said if it's easier to say I'm retiring then say that. They said that's fine, but we'll give you the weekend to think about it. On Monday they called back, and talked me back into it."

O'Sullivan, who won the world title in 2001, 2004 and 2008, is due to play Dominic Dale in the first round.

He has been largely de-motivated this season, has fallen to tenth in the world rankings and has not won a match in a ranking event since last September's World Open.

The Mail reports that O'Sullivan is consulting with Dr Steve Peters, who advised the British cycling team ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

You can read the story here.

The Daily Mail reports that Ronnie O'Sullivan has told World Snooker he is withdrawing from the Betfred.com World Championship.

However, O'Sullivan has apparently had a rethink and is consulting with a leading sports psychologist ahead of the Crucible.

According to the newspaper, O'Sullivan said: "Last week I put in a verbal withdrawal to World Snooker and told them I wasn't going to play in Sheffield. That's when it really hit me that this could be it, for five or 10 minutes my heart was pounding.

"I said if it's easier to say I'm retiring then say that. They said that's fine, but we'll give you the weekend to think about it. On Monday they called back, and talked me back into it."

O'Sullivan, who won the world title in 2001, 2004 and 2008, is due to play Dominic Dale in the first round.

He has been largely de-motivated this season, has fallen to tenth in the world rankings and has not won a match in a ranking event since last September's World Open.

The Mail reports that O'Sullivan is consulting with Dr Steve Peters, who advised the British cycling team ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

You can read the story here http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/others ... areer.html .

Monique wrote:You "know" that how he does it? really? I'm baffled! You probably know how he feels as well? And every detail of the real situation?

I'm afraid you're just showing your ignorance here.

Monique wrote:How do you know that he called the newspapers? How do you know it's not the newspaper that called him?
When he refuses to talk to the press he's wrong. When he does he's wrong also.

Monique wrote:He's not mentioned depression at all, for a start. He's seeing a sports psychologist.
Mark Joyce said he's doing it, and got praised, like many sportsmen before him.
Mark Allen spoke to the press about his depression and got sympathy. So did Dott.
And in addition as I already mentioned Ronnie can't win: when he refuses to talk the press, or to answer the questions that are put to him he's unprofessional, it's part of his job. When he does, it's wrong as well.

Bourne wrote:Mark Joyce doesn't seek publicity quite this way, he doesn't threaten to retire every time he loses, he doesn't refuse to go to foreign tournaments for a 'bad back' every time ... how you can compare them

Wild wrote:mon

seriously did the newspaper need to know he was going to pull out but now hes not they talked him out of it.

why say something thats not going to happen

ill be honest it sounds like a publicity stunt by Barry to get us talking which it has....

that what it looks like i cant comment on the reality i just dont know.

if its genuine he needs to pull out get his head sorted in private away from publicity and attention.

John From London Town wrote:I don’t think it is a publicity stunt at all.

I do think however it is Ronnie’s troubled mind coming across & somehow this has been leaked. I doubt very much Ronnie O’Sullivan will take any pleasure with seeing this in the news. Probably only adds to the fella’s woes if you ask me.

My problem is not that I can't get over the winning line, or that I don't believe I am good enough. I can win and I know if I'm playing well I beat all bar a couple.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/others ... z1JOiI6Mtb