Ronnie O’Sullivan admits that he is yearning for a return to form, despite reaching the last 16 of the 2026 Wuhan Open in China.
The Rocket showed glimpses of his true standard during a 5-1 defeat of Yao Pengcheng on Tuesday, but it was clear that he was also struggling internally with the inconsistency of his performance.
That was particularly true in the third frame when O’Sullivan cut an immensely frustrated figure after making a series of uncharacteristic errors.
The 50 year old ended the contest with a trademark century break, but that wasn’t enough to brighten his outlook afterwards.
“I just miss playing well,” Ronnie O’Sullivan told the World Snooker Tour. “I don’t care whether it is when I’m practicing or when I’m on the match table.”
“I miss hitting the ball well, I’ve always said it. You can look back on my interviews. Since I was 17, I’ve always just wanted to hit it well.
“I’ll tell you if I have, and if I’ve not then I’m sad I haven’t. Before I might have gone one or two months without doing it.
“But to go four years without hitting the ball well is far too long for any human to take, hitting poor shot after poor shot.”
O’Sullivan hasn’t won a ranking title since early in 2024, and his early-season form suggests that it will be difficult for him to end that barren spell this week.
The seven-time world champion was equally despondent with his own display at the recent China Open, where he called himself “a very poor snooker player” following a last-16 defeat to Noppon Saengkham.
The Englishman will be hoping to go at least one round better in Wuhan when he takes on old rival Stephen Maguire on Wednesday.
Despite being far from his best, O’Sullivan remains the fourth favourite in the outright betting market with odds of about 7/1 at most online bookmakers.
Those looking for additional betting insights for the ongoing Wuhan Open can also turn to LiveSportsOdds for sure bet tips, although no prediction can ever guarantee an outcome.
Elsewhere, the race to end August as the world number one is heating up with Judd Trump, Zhao Xintong, Neil Robertson, and Mark Selby still in the running to claim top spot.
Trump has held the coveted position for two years and would prolong his tenure with victory in Wuhan, where he also triumphed back in 2023.
The Shanghai Masters champion faces Si Jiahui, while China Open champion Selby encounters Pang Junxu.
The match between rising Chinese star Chang Bingyu and six-time ranking event winner Ali Carter is also in the bottom section of the draw.
Zhao and Robertson, meanwhile, could set up a barnstorming quarter-final clash against one another if they emerge from their respective fixtures against Barry Hawkins and Liam Davies.
If neither Trump nor Selby win the tournament, the outcome of the world number one battle will be determined by who among Zhao and Robertson goes the furthest in the competition.
Reigning champion Xiao Guodong can’t be discounted in this event, though.
A Wuhan winner in both 2024 and 2025, Xiao extended his unbeaten streak in the tournament to 16 matches and will face Chris Wakelin for a spot in the last eight.
Mark Williams and Daniel Wells clash in an all-Welsh affair in the other game on Wednesday.
Featured photo credit: WST
There seems to be a distinct difference between the fans in Britain and the fans in China. In the UK they would be proud to tell you the history of the game and what players achieved over the long period of time. The British fans are going nowhere.
In China however, there is a strong attraction towards stardom. I do not want to be pessimistic but what happens when Ronnie O’Sullivan retires and what if Zhao Xintong fails to have as such success has he has. Will China continue to follow the sport? The numbers speak for themselves, fans are looking for these two players. It is something to watch how fans stand and rush to sidelines to speak to Ronnie after the match.
I believe right now Xintong has incredible pressure put upon him to make professional snooker a success in China.
Chang Bingyu is the first to the quarterfinals winning 5-2 to Ali Carter. He will likely play Judd Trump who just about over the line to win 5-1.
The G.O.A.T is not finished yet. He finished off with his second century in the 5-2 match. A man not at his best but still clearly better than most. This time he beat Stephen Maguire.
Judd Trump won 5-1 over Si Jiahui.
The sleeper match are on their break. Mark Selby is up 3-1 over Pang Junxu.
Xiao Guodong, Neil Robertson, Zhao Xintong and Mark Williams are all in for the evening session.
Well so far so good at the Wuhan Open, he has played well enough to reach the SF — winning this event would probably give him a psychological boost, and be good for the tour generally, such is his popularity, also in China.