Ronnie O’Sullivan has admitted that there is a part of him that wishes he hadn’t released his tell-all Amazon Prime documentary last week. The snooker legend opened up on his mental health alongside the highs and lows he has gone through during his illustrious career, while the doc also follows him winning his seventh World Snooker Championship in 2022.
The 46-year-old has been heralded for showcasing his most vulnerable moments as a sportsman, but following the release of the doc he has admitted that he struggled to watch it himself. Speaking after his UK Championship 6-2 win over Anthony McGill to reach the last 16, the Rocket shared his regret now that members of the public are reacting in person to his feature.
“I knew I was going to have to do one at some point and I just thought doing a behind-the-scenes one was pretty different and not many sportsmen have allowed that sort of access and I just thought to try and give people an insight into what it’s like,” he told the BBC.
“I am not sure if other people have gone through it but as a snooker player I’m sure I’m not the only one. I wasn’t worried about people seeing me in a bad place because it’s been like that for 30 years, you get used to the camera, it’s normal for me.
“It might look bad to other people but it comes with the territory, especially in Sheffield. I am glad it’s out of the way because now I can focus on playing.
“I found it easier doing it than watching it, to be honest. I felt a bit gutted for myself, poor fella. But as you’re doing it you get used to it, you’re not sure how you look on the outside and I can understand when I look at some of my mates when they see me and they look worried. You can’t see yourself but I know inside when I am going through it, you get used to it.”
O’Sullivan further admitted that there was a part of him that regrets releasing the doc, as he is continuously asked by fans to relive the difficult times he recently re-lived. “Not really,” he replied when asked if it was a relief to get his story out in the public.
“No, I actually wish I hadn’t in some ways because you get people coming up to you and wanting to talk to you about it. You just think you don’t want to talk about it, I have done it and put it out there. Hopefully, it dies down after a bit.
“I had fun making it, I don’t think I would have won the World Championship without it. That was the sort of push to put a bit of pressure on me that I think you need sometimes.”
