Ronnie O’Sullivan warned that he could still retire from the world championship if he had a “fusion” before his first round match on Tuesday – and admitted: “I lost my bottle”.
The record world champion seven times has not played a tournament since January, but was convinced to make his 33rd consecutive appearance crucible by his rival Barry Hawkins, with whom he practiced this week.
However, O’Sullivan said he felt “flat” when he arrived in Sheffield for Friday media day and insists that it will be a “victory in itself” if he reveals himself for his first match against the former enemy Ali Carter.
“It’s Friday now, I’m not playing before Tuesday, so if I have a merger, who knows?” I could still get bloody, ”admitted the 49 -year -old rocket.
“I hope not. I used to deal with pressure situations. But it seems very different. I feel like I have lost my nerve, maybe I lost my bottle.
“Even when I went to Saudi Arabia to make exhibitions last week, I felt very nervous exposing to examination and judgment. It looked quite like hard, and even less to come here to try to play.
Ronnie O’Sullivan warned that he could still withdraw from the world championship next week
The winner of the O’Sullivan disc said that he felt “flat” when he arrived in Sheffield for the day of the media on Friday
The seven times champion will face former enemy Ali Carter in his opening match at the Crucible
“I am surprised that I am here but I’m here. For me, the simple fact of playing to play will be a victory in itself. I feel a little flat, including the movements. I feel a bit of an old man who clings.
O’Sullivan won the world championship in 2013 – the fifth of his seven titles – after sitting all the season for personal reasons. But despite two breaks 147 to his academy in Saudi Arabia last week, he played his chances of claiming his eighth crown of Crucible.
“Can I win everything?” I doubt it, ”he said. “I would be very happy to give Ali a game. I must be realistic.
“I would not read too much in a 147 in an exhibition. It’s very different to come to the crucible and play the best players in the world.
“I have no expectations. I just would like to feel at sea there. If I can just play and at least feel semi-competitive, I would be happy.
O’Sullivan did not make his decision to play crucible on Wednesday after his last training with Hawkins, which he beat in the 2013 final.
“I played in Barry for a few days and the second day, it was so bad that I left halfway through the session,” he revealed.
“Barry went down and told me about and said to me,” It is not as bad as you think. ” He sort of convinced me that I was perhaps a little hard with myself, so I said to myself “OK”.
O’Sullivan did not make his decision to play crucible on Wednesday after his last training
Veteran John Higgins could also withdraw from competition after a family emergency
“I hung on to this and I spoke to (psychiatrist) Steve Peters and he said:” Try to focus on this tournament and I will be there for you “.”
O’Sullivan has a longtime quarrel with his Carter opening opponent, with the pair advancing the shoulders during their second round match at the crucible in 2018.
Carter also accused his rival of “snotting all over the ground” during the masters final of last year, O’Sullivan responding with a classified diatribe on his compatriot Essex Potter.
“It was probably only heat stuff from moment to time,” said O’Sullivan yesterday. “I wanted me to have said what I said but I can’t take it back. None of us think about it very much.
Meanwhile, John Higgins’ participation is in doubt after his wife’s father suffered a heart attack.
The quadruple world champion missed the Masters style champions dinner on Thursday evening and was also absent from Friday media day.
Higgins in good shape, 49, is expected to face the Joe O’Connor qualification on Monday.
