Ronnie O’Sullivan making headlines again. Nothing new there then…
No, he’s not tried to settle the 9-darter/147-break debate in some spectacular fashion. Instead, this time, it’s pretty relevant to what we do here and in a good way too, especially when the message is from a seven-time World Champion.
During the recent Masters 2025 coverage, an event which ‘The Rocket’ pulled out of before it started citing exhaustion, O’Sullivan proposed that the World Snooker Tour (WST) should employ on-hand mental health support to assist players during tournament, stating “I think snooker should have someone at the tournament employed as like if someone is struggling, they’ve come off the table, ‘do you need 10 minutes with someone?'” 1
Now many people might find it difficult to comprehend the challenges of snooker – “How can it be stressful? They’re sat down watching most of the time, it’s hardly intense.”
Just like a lot of the sport, there is more than meets the eye away from performance. Snooker is an individual endeavour where players rely on themselves in success, leading to intense internal scrutiny and pressure. Essentially, it’s not all fun and games. The solitary nature of snooker can contribute to poorer mental health.
For example, players often travel and practice alone over long hours in isolation, all the while enduring the increased pressure of competition. Success is often vital, not for personal glory, but for the fact they rely upon prize money and sponsorship to fund their career (travel, accommodation, food, etc) as well and their personal life (family, house, etc).
O’Sullivan’s call for mental health support is not just about addressing mental health but also about providing ongoing assistance to help players manage the demands of the sport, fuelled by his own experience with addiction and depression, something he has been candid about by describing periods of his career as the “worst time of my life.” 2
O’Sullivan’s advocacy is particularly significant given his status in the snooker world. His openness about his struggles has the potential to reduce stigma and encourage other players to seek help. He noted, “A lot of players suffer in silence basically. They should have someone to go and talk to.”
The discussion around mental health in snooker is not new, and this has only served to reignite the conversation. In response, Shaun Murphy – the subsequent Masters 2025, former World Champion, and chair of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) Players group – agreed that support is necessary for players but there is in fact options already available to players, including a strong partnership with Sporting Chance 3.
But what does Sporting Chance do, and is it enough?
Sporting Chance is a charity, established by former Arsenal and England football captain Tony Adams, which provides free and confidential mental health support to professional sports people. They work with a range of sporting organisations across different sports, including the FA (football), ATP (tennis), and the PCA (cricket). Athletes can self-refer or be referred by their organisation for support with a plethora of common and not-so-common issues athletes face, such as low mood and dealing with injury, to depression and eating disorders. Essentially, it’s a service to support with any mental health concern.
But is it enough?
It’s important to note that I am not trying to downplay or reduce the significance of any of the support that Sporting Chance provides. Quite the opposite, as Sporting Chance is one of the most comprehensive organisations that provides specialised support. However, I’d stretch to say that the impact of Sporting Chance suffers from what most mental health support services also struggle with when aiming to help athletes.
Awareness, athlete humility, and stigma.
Those within individual-based sport, such as snooker, cannot rely upon referral from the support staff that they may not have! For example, a team doctor, player liaison, or safeguarding officer may refer an athlete in a team-based setting, but these contacts are limited in a sport where competitors are more individual.
We have already mentioned the solitary nature of snooker, similar to other individual sports like tennis, or golf. With support from Sporting Chance, as well as other providers, often relying upon a large proportion of self-referral, just how willing an individual is at reaching out for support is crucial in how effective support it at reaching to those in need.
This is the case across mental health and psychological support!
So, is a referral service like Sporting Chance enough to combat the issue? I’d make the case for a dedicated professional on-hand at events, supporting the call
Implementing such support could involve providing access to support, namely sports psychologists and clinical psychologists, who understand the specific pressures of snooker and the impact of a high-performance lifestyle on wellbeing. These professionals can offer strategies for managing stress, maintaining focus, and coping with the highs and lows of competition.
Regular mental health check-ins could become as routine as physical warm-ups, normalising the practice of seeking psychological support.
O’Sullivan’s call to action also highlights a broader issue within professional sports: the need to prioritise athletes’ mental well-being.
While physical injuries are often immediately addressed, mental health struggles can be overlooked or stigmatised. In advocating for mental health support, O’Sullivan and company is challenging the culture of silence that often surrounds psychological issues in sports.
Many recognise the importance of mental health support and see the value in having dedicated professionals available during tournaments. However, implementing such a program would require logistical planning and financial investment from the WST. Is it a question as to just how willing organisational stakeholders are in implementing change?
Conclusion
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby’s advocacy for mental health support in snooker is a crucial step toward acknowledging and addressing the psychological challenges faced by players. Proposing the employment of one or more full-time mental health professional at tournaments reflects a growing recognition of the importance of mental well-being in achieving athletic excellence. By prioritising mental health, the snooker community can create a more supportive environment that enables players to thrive both on and off the table.
For a deeper insight into Ronnie’s battle with addiction, click here, while his discussion with Mark Selby and Alan McManus during the Masters 2025 can be found here.