Snooker: Ronnie O’Sullivan reveals disturbing untold stories as Alfie Burden stuns Stuart Bingham to win his first ranking title

Snooker: Ronnie O’Sullivan reveals disturbing untold stories as Alfie Burden stuns Stuart Bingham to win his first ranking title.

 

Ronnie O’Sullivan has once again lifted the lid on the darker side of professional snooker, sharing disturbing untold stories about life on tour just as Alfie Burden produced the performance of his career to win his first ranking title by defeating Stuart Bingham in the Shoot Out.

Speaking candidly in recent interviews and podcast appearances, O’Sullivan reflected on the mental strain, isolation and unseen pressures faced by players away from the television tables. The seven-time world champion explained that while snooker is often portrayed as a calm and gentlemanly sport, the reality for many professionals is far more brutal. He described long spells of loneliness on tour, constant financial uncertainty for lower-ranked players, and the psychological toll of knowing that a single bad season can end a career.

O’Sullivan’s comments resonated strongly in the aftermath of the Shoot Out, a tournament that perfectly captures both the opportunity and cruelty of modern snooker. With its fast-paced frames, shot clock and sudden-death format, the event offers players a rare chance to transform their careers overnight – but also leaves no room for error.

Few embodied that reality better than Alfie Burden. A seasoned professional who has spent much of his career battling to retain his tour card, Burden arrived at the Shoot Out with little external expectation. Yet over the course of the tournament, he produced a series of fearless performances, culminating in a dramatic final victory over former world champion Stuart Bingham.

The final was tense and frenetic, as is typical of the Shoot Out. Bingham, vastly more decorated and experienced on the biggest stages, was expected by many to control the occasion. Instead, Burden embraced the chaos. He played positively, trusted his instincts and kept his composure under the relentless shot clock. When the decisive moments arrived, it was Burden who held his nerve, sealing a win that earned him his first ranking title and one of the biggest paydays of his career.

For Burden, the victory was about far more than silverware. In emotional scenes after the final, he spoke of the years of struggle, self-doubt and financial pressure that had defined much of his time in the professional ranks. His triumph served as a powerful reminder of what O’Sullivan had been describing: that behind every match is a human story, often marked by anxiety, sacrifice and resilience.

O’Sullivan has long been outspoken about mental health in snooker, openly discussing his own battles with depression and loss of motivation. In his latest remarks, he suggested that the sport still does not do enough to support players who fall outside the elite. He highlighted cases of talented professionals who quietly disappear from the tour, not because of a lack of ability, but because of burnout, stress or the inability to cope with the lifestyle.

Burden’s success, therefore, felt symbolic. It showed that perseverance can still be rewarded, even in a sport that often feels unforgiving. At the same time, it underlined the fine margins O’Sullivan warns about: had a few shots gone differently, Burden might have left the tournament with little more than another early exit.

As snooker continues to evolve, with faster formats and increasing commercial pressure, O’Sullivan’s disturbing stories act as a cautionary note. Burden’s victory was a feel-good moment, but it also highlighted the fragile balance between triumph and hardship that defines life on the professional tour.