Ronnie O'Sullivan reveals cut-throat mentality of snooker – 'It's all about ruining your opponent's life'

Ronnie O'Sullivan has confessed the cut-throat nature of professional snooker at the top level comes with the merciless mindset of «ruining your opponent's life». In a no-holds barred account more akin to boxing, the seven-time world champion has laid bare the bloodthirsty aspect of the green baize by acknowledging the key to success comes down to «f****** them up». Ad Despite battling with his mental health throughout his tumultuous and turbulent 31-year career, O'Sullivan has become a master of such mind games as the undisputed snooker GOAT by winning a record 39 ranking titles, including seven world titles and seven Masters crowns since 1995.

SnookerO'Sullivan reveals 'massive gaps' lost to drink and drugs early in career18 HOURS AGO He has compiled a landmark 1,202 centuries, an unsurpassed 15 competitive 147s and the sport's historic fastest maximum at the 1997 World Championship in only five minutes and eight seconds, the most celebrated break of all time. «Let me tell you something about snooker from the inside. It's beautiful and it's brutal,» said O'Sullivan in his new autobiography Unbreakable.

«I love this sport. I feel blessed to have played it to the highest level. It's in my head all day long and I obsess about it, love its history.

I'll talk to you all night about Joe Davis (15-time world champion), Steve Davis (six-time world champion) and Stephen Hendry (seven-time world champion). »But it can be bad for that head of mine. This thing I can't let go of.

It can be capricious and cruel. You and the table all day long, every day. Low roofs and artificial lights, stale air and bad food.