Hong Kong / UK – Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has offered a stark, no-nonsense assessment of his recent form after a tough season on the World Snooker Tour, responding with just four words when asked what’s gone wrong: “Play better. Cue better.” 

Ronnie O’Sullivan Gives Blunt Four-Word Answer When Asked Where His Snooker Is Going So Badly Wrong This Year

 

 

Hong Kong / UK – Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has offered a stark, no-nonsense assessment of his recent form after a tough season on the World Snooker Tour, responding with just four words when asked what’s gone wrong: “Play better. Cue better.”

The 50-year-old Englishman, widely regarded as one of the greatest cue sports players ever, has endured an uncharacteristically inconsistent campaign. His latest setback came in the last-32 of the German Masters, where he was beaten 5–3 by fellow veteran Ali Carter. Since that defeat, O’Sullivan admitted he hadn’t been sleeping well, underscoring the psychological toll the slump has taken.

When asked by reporters exactly where his snooker was going so badly wrong and how he intended to correct it, O’Sullivan distilled his diagnosis into four simple words: “Play better. Cue better.” Critics and fans alike were surprised by the minimalism of the answer from someone known for his eloquence and wit.

Despite his candour, O’Sullivan also struck an optimistic tone about his hopes going into the upcoming World Grand Prix in Hong Kong, where he is seeded sixth and scheduled to face rising star Josh O’Connor in the opening round on February 4.

“I know that I’m capable, I just need to play well,” O’Sullivan told journalists, acknowledging both his talent and his current difficulty in accessing it. “You just have to get out there and play. If the snooker gods are shining on you, hopefully you’ll get a result.”

A Season of Struggles

O’Sullivan’s struggles this season have not been confined to one match. Earlier in January, he withdrew from the prestigious Masters tournament on medical grounds, a decision that followed his early exit at the UK Championship — where he lost in the first round to China’s Zhou Yuelong.

The snooker great has also been selective with his schedule, missing other ranking events and occasionally hinting at the need to prioritise his wellbeing. Though the specifics of his medical withdrawal from the Masters were not fully disclosed, World Snooker confirmed he opted out just two days before the tournament started.

Such interruptions, combined with recent match defeats, have led some commentators to question whether O’Sullivan’s focus and confidence are waning. Many point to deeper issues — including past admissions from the player about losing instinctive feel for the game and experimenting with his technique — rather than mere fluctuations in performance.

Respect for Rising Stars

Despite his own struggles, O’Sullivan has been happy to praise emerging talent. In Hong Kong, he singled out 22-year-old Wu Yize as a player with the potential to reach the very top of the sport. He compared Wu’s cue power and aggressive style to that of a modern phenom, suggesting the youngster could be World No 1 within a few years.

Looking Forward

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s succinct four-word reply reflects both the simplicity and complexity of elite sport: while the answer is straightforward, making it reality is anything but. As he heads into the World Grand Prix, fans will be watching to see if the seven-time world champion can translate his words into results and end a challenging season on a high note.