Ronnie O'Sullivan could pull out of Crucible opener and admits 'I've lost my nerve'

 Ronnie O'Sullivan has made no promises despite the tournament getting underway on Saturday.

Ronnie O'Sullivan has revealed he could still pull out of the World Championship if he has another meltdown. The Rocket, 49, has not played competitively since he “lost the plot” and snapped his cue in frustration at the behind-closed-doors Championship League in January.

Snooker’s biggest star has been riddled with bouts of “stage fright” and self-doubt this season, and there is no bigger mental test in the sport than the 17-day marathon at the Crucible.

And the seven-time Crucible King amazingly reckons he’s “lost his bottle” despite achieving more than any other player in history during his illustrious 33-year career. O’Sullivan landed in Sheffield yesterday for the pre-event Green Carpet ceremony and cut a subdued figure during his rounds with the media.

But most telling was the Rocket revealed he will have renowned sports psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters in his corner during his tilt for a record eighth title, like he did during the last four times he climbed the Crucible mountain.

And the fifth seed, who plays nemesis Ali Carter, admitted: “I’m not playing until Tuesday, so if I have a meltdown, who knows I might still bloody withdraw. I hope I don’t.

“I’m used to dealing with pressurised situations and stuff like that. This feels a lot different. It feels like I’ve lost my nerve. Maybe lost my bottle.

“I was a bit scared to go near the table, I didn’t want to practice, I didn’t want to hit the ball. So many practice sessions that lasted like five minutes. Normally I do three or four hours a day, first 20 mins are a bit urgh then after that I think I am loving this.

“I ran out of ideas in the end. I felt a bit beaten by it. I don’t know what the future holds.

Ronnie O'Sullivan with his fellow top seeds at the Crucible

“It's difficult to go out and play. Even when I went to Saudi to do the exhibition, I felt quite nervous just exposing myself to the scrutiny and judgement and stuff like that. That felt hard enough, let alone coming here to try and play, there is no bigger test.

“I am surprised I am here but I am here. We will just have to see.”

O’Sullivan famously defended the World Championship in 2013 despite taking a year out.

And despite nearing 50, you cannot write off the Rocket repeating the incredible feat after his most recent hiatus from the baize.

But the Chigwell ace, who was convicted to play by Barry Hawkins during practice sessions earlier this week, added: “I feel like a bit of an old man clinging on. When you are a young man clinging on, it feels all right.

“But when you feel like an old man clinging on, it’s kind of different in a way. I am going to try and push on through and put everything into it and try and manage whatever the sport throws at me.

“I have to be realistic. I know I have a reputation and years of being successful and winning a lot of tournaments.

“A lot of people always think well if you can do that, surely you can still do it.

“That’s probably difficult because you are always going to have that reputation I suppose.

“I am nearly 50 now and there a lot of young guys who are hungry and competing all the time, it’s a bit different to say 2012, 2013.”