Rocket aims to end barren spell in Malta
Ronnie O’Sullivan returns to action today at the Malta Cup looking to break a long-standing hoodoo at the first overseas event of the season.
The new SAGA Insurance Masters champion has not won a match on Maltese soil for three years – and did not even enter last year’s tournament because he was due to play in a high-profile event which was subsequently cancelled.
He later admitted he had made a mistake by not playing in the tournament, but flew into Malta yesterday to practice in readiness for his first match with Michael Holt.
O’Sullivan locks horns with the Nottingham potter at the Hilton Conference Centre in Portomaso after his opponent raced to a comfortable 5-1 victory over veteran John Parrott.
And all eyes will be on Chigwell’s O’Sullivan after he revealed he could quit the sport after fearing for his own health.
O’Sullivan has threatened to give up the game on numerous occasions during a well-publicised 14-year professional career.
And so it was even more surprising that having asked for privacy at the Masters earlier this month, the now three-time winner then decided to break his silence and speak his mind having dumped out Scot Stephen Maguire in the semis.
Last month he shocked his many fans, the media and fellow professionals with a mid-match walkout against Stephen Hendry at the Maplin UK Championship in York.
He has since apologised for his actions, but admits he has no regrets over his unprecedented departure, one which annoyed many fans who had paid good money to watch the match.
“I don’t regret what I did. It was just the way I was feeling at the time,” said O’Sullivan.
“I’ve explained to the (World Snooker) Board, the people and it’s still not over, so I can’t really comment to be honest with you.
“A few players have had their say, but my health has to come first and I won’t be made to crack up in front of everybody.
“If any other player was going through what I’m going through, then they’d get the full support for whatever needs to be done.”
He added: “There’s things I’ve been going through – and I’m not the type of person who can cope with stuff at the moment. Anything can push me over the edge.
“I just want to, at least, get to the venues to play snooker.
“Physically I don’t feel capable of dealing with a lot of stuff. It’s a choice between whether I come here and play and I’m helped through this. Or, if people push the barriers too far, I’m prepared to walk away if that becomes the case.”
Meanwhile, world champion Graeme Dott continues his quest for the Malta title against Leicester’s Tom Ford in the last 16 stage.
Welshman Matthew Stevens clashes with fellow countryman Ryan Day in the last 32, with the winner set to meet Dubliner Fergal O’Brien in the next round, while former Grand Prix semi-finalist Barry Hawkins plays fellow left-hander Mark King in only other last 32 match of the day.
