Ronnie O’Sullivan calls snooker Players Championship ‘paid practice’ days after withdrawal over ‘stage fright’

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has described the snooker Players Championship as “paid practice” after pulling out of the Welsh Open with “stage fright.”

The Rocket faces Mark Selby in tonight’s quarter-final after easing past Zhou Yuelong in Telford.

Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan beat his opponent 6-2 to extend his unbeaten run to 16 matches.

But O’Sullivan sees no real benefit in appearing at the Players Championship apart from the £125,000 prize on offer.

He said: “For me, it’s just a day out really. I just enjoy getting away from home, booking in my Airbnb, doing my gym, doing my running, and then just fit a few frames of snooker in.

“Just like a bit of paid practice really.”

O’Sullivan’s appearance comes after he opted against playing at the Welsh Open earlier this month.

Fans were left gutted when the Masters winner pulled out, with the Rocket citing “anxiety”.

He declared at the time: “It’s hard to explain but for years I’ve suffered from stage fright at times, brought on by anxiety.

“It’s not something I can predict or control, but I try to manage it as best as I can.”

O’Sullivan also withdrew from the German Masters in January.

He said: “I love the event and fans in Germany but I have to make my health and wellbeing the priority.

“It’s been a tiring and challenging season for me so far, despite how it may seem with the tournament wins.”

Meanwhile, O’Sullivan has also lifted the lid on his “golden rule” for snooker.

He explained: “I don’t assess my performances really, I make that a golden rule.

“Bit of match practice, take what I can from the tour and move on.

“I’m just trying to get away with playing as least as I can, I feel happier doing that.

“This is all icing on the cake for me, whenever I get off this tour.”