Ronnie O’Sullivan reveals he suffers from ‘snooker depression’ following matches

Ronnie O’Sullivan revealed he gets “snooker depression” for a couple of hours following matches after he booked his place in the second round of the European Masters in Milton Keynes, where world number one Mark Selby suffered a shock early exit.

After completing a qualifying-round victory over Nigel Bond at the Marshall Arena, O’Sullivan had suggested he “couldn’t give a monkey’s” about going on to securing another world title and felt his continued success had got somewhat “boring”.

The six-time world champion was again in the spotlight during Tuesday’s afternoon session, where he edged past China’s world number 104 Zhang Anda in a deciding frame.

O’Sullivan, who appeared troubled by a glare from lighting around the arena when sitting in his chair, had opened up a 4-2 lead following a break of 128.

Zhang, though, produced runs of 114 and 91 to force a decider, which O’Sullivan took 96-44 to move into the last 32 where he will play Wu Yize.

When reflecting on his performance, O’Sullivan told reporters: “I find it hard to talk about my games, I have snooker depression for two or three hours after my matches. Talking about it puts me in a bad place.

I call it snooker depression because it is depression due to snooker- Ronnie O'Sullivan

“I call it snooker depression because it is depression due to snooker. I don’t just wake up and say ‘I’m depressed’ – you aren’t when you are doing something you enjoy.

“You might afterwards, but you can get it doing this job if it bothers you and you are not enjoying it. And that happens to me, snooker plays on the mind.

“If you love your job, any job, then you won’t suffer with it – unless you are totally detached from your feelings. Let’s call it sports depression, across the board.

“It’