Ronnie O'Sullivan has concerned his fans after threatening to quit snooker for good, while also ruling himself out of winning next year's World Championship.
O'Sullivan, viewed by many as the greatest snooker player in history, says he "doesn't have long" left in the sport after suffering an "embarrassing" defeat by the world No 64 He Guoqiang in the last 64 of the English Open.
China's He booked his place in the fourth round of the tournament at Brentwood after a 4-2 victory over 'The Rocket' on Tuesday.
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It was his second win this season over O'Sullivan, who has failed to reach a final in his last five tournaments.
O'Sullivan switched from using his right hand to left for large parts of the contest against last season's 'Rookie of the Year', drawing criticism from fans and pundits.
When asked to explain his unconventional approach to the match, the 48-year-old replied: "I'm absolutely useless, that's why."
"I'm awful, it's embarrassing," O'Sullivan added.
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"I miss so many balls. I can't get away from it, poor, but there's nothing I can do about it. I've been missing balls for the last four or five years and every now and then I'll miss a few less, maybe, and get a couple of results.
"I'm absolutely useless. Forget about the Worlds. I'm not even bothered to be honest with you, if I'm going to play rubbish I might as well play left-handed.
"Play left-handed and enjoy it, but be useless, or play right-handed, be useless and not enjoy it.
"I haven't got long, I'm not going to deny it, I'm not playing well enough, there's no point in even worrying about it. I've just accepted it now which is quite a nice place to be really."
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A seven-time winner of the World Snooker Championship, O'Sullivan holds the joint record for the most victories in the modern era - tied with Stephen Hendry.
O'Sullivan's disappointing form this season and his recent comments about retirement have worried some fans.
"He's been playing poorly for a while, and even before that? His very sporadic 'good' form (and opponents crumbling) have got him through but it's no longer cutting it," one fan posted on X.
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"He needs to take a break whether permanently or just for a while."
Another added: "I didn't expect to see Ronnie go out at this stage."
While a third wrote: "Looked like he wasn't trying. A terrible thing for his opponent."
However, others were more sceptical about O'Sullivan's threat to retire.
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"The guys a legend. The GOAT. Words can't justify his greatness but he talks so much tripe," posted one fan.
"Yawn," added another.
While a third simply wrote: "See you in Sheffield, Ronnie."
Topics: Snooker, Ronnie OSullivan
Rory O'Callaghan