World Championship 2025: Ronnie O'Sullivan says confidence is at lowest point after semi-final exit to Zhao Xintong – ‘All over the place’

The dream of winning an eighth World Championship is over for another year for Ronnie O'Sullivan as he was comprehensively beaten by Zhao Xintong in the semi-finals at the Crucible on Friday. O'Sullivan was beaten in three sessions, and he said his confidence is low. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+.

'I think I have lost what I used to have' - O'Sullivan reflects on loss to Zhao

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ronnie O’Sullivan has said he is as low on confidence as he has ever been, and does not know how to rebuild his game.

O’Sullivan crashed out of the World Championship, losing 17-7 to Zhao Xintong in the semi-finals.

There were flashes of quality, but they were few and far between as he was completely dominated by his Chinese opponent.

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'The Rocket' arrived at the Crucible with no expectations, having not played a ranking event since the UK Championship in November.

He was short of his best, but found a way to get past Ali Carter, Pang Junxu and Si Jiahui to reach the semi-finals.

The first session of the semi-final was competitive, but O’Sullivan - on the back of changing his ferrule and tip after the first session - fell apart on Friday morning.

He was unable to recover in the evening, as Zhao wrapped up the win with a session to spare.

"I felt like I missed a lot of shots, my cue ball was pretty much all over the place," O’Sullivan told TNT Sports of his performance. "I missed a lot of balls, so I made it quite easy for him."

O’Sullivan said the performance did not come as a surprise.

O’Sullivan and Zhao share warm handshake after stunning semi-final

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I have been bad for about four years," he said. "I have put in quite a lot of those performances.

"There have been many matches where I have had to fight the game."

O’Sullivan told TNT Sports mid-way through the World Championship that he would dedicate the next two years to getting back to the level that helped him win seven world titles, but he feels the starting point could be tough.

"I could not feel where my back arm is," the 49-year-old said. "I don’t know how to correct it, which is the worrying thing.

"Sometimes you get a thought and I know what I need to do and am not far off. But I am so far away, so I don’t know where to begin to fix it. That is the worrying part.

"I think I have lost what I used to have and I am so confused. It is really a struggle.

"Not a lot of positives to take from me playing the game the last few years. I don’t know where to go from this."

'The Rocket is back' - O'Sullivan lays fiendish snooker to set up frame-winning chance

Video credit: TNT Sports

O’Sullivan said he is unable to draw on his attacking instincts due to his struggles at the table.

"I am an attacking, aggressive sort of player, but when you are cueing like that you can’t be as there are just too many mistakes," O'Sullivan said. "It does not let you force the game.

"I am as low as I have ever been on confidence and that is where I am right now."

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Watch and stream top snooker action, including the World Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

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