NEIL ROBERTSON believes Ronnie O’Sullivan’s “crazy” cue tinkering led to his World Championship exit.
O’Sullivan crashed out in the semi-finals at the Crucible on Friday night after defeat to Zhao Xintong.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is out of the World Championships in Sheffield[/caption]
The Rocket made a change in his cue before play on Friday[/caption]
The move has been slammed by 2010 world champ Neil Robertson[/caption]
The Chinese star put on a masterclass to beat the seven-time champion 17-7.
O’Sullivan has been working with a new cue at the Crucible.
The 49-year-old had snapped his old cue in half after dropping out of the Championship League in January.
O’Sullivan reportedly put a new tip on before the match started on Thursday.
And after the day’s play ended level at 4-4, he changed his ferrule – the metal sleeve behind the tip.
Long-serving BBC presenter Hazel Irvine said on Friday: “We knew that Ronnie O’Sullivan was playing with a new tip in that session.
“Immediately afterwards, we are hearing, he actually went to a shop in Sheffield and changed not only the tip but the ferrule of his cue.
“A rather extraordinary thing to do in the middle of a semi-final.”
2010 champion Robertson added on X: “I hope whoever changed Ronnie’s tip AND ferrule made it very clear to him that doing so would result in an almost certain heavy defeat before posting anything on social media.
“Switching from titanium to brass or vice versa mid match unless something was damaged is crazy.”
The Rocket has admitted he “doesn’t know where the ball is going” as he gets to grip with his new equipment.
O’Sullivan is set for a change of scenery after his run to the semi-finals in Sheffield.
He said: “Zhao played great. We have a really nice relationship and I am always trying to help him if I can.
“It was his moment to enjoy at the end of the match. It would be amazing for snooker and for him if he becomes World Champion.
World Snooker Championship 2025
WE are now into the final days of what has been a THRILLING World Snooker Championship!
A new world champion will be crowned this year after Kyren Wilson crashed out in the first round.
Heavyweights such as John Higgins and Mark Selby have also fallen as we head to the final on Sunday and Monday.
Ronnie O’Sullivan was eyeing a record eighth world title but crashed out at the hands of the brilliant Zhao Xintong – who reached the final qualifying as an amateur after his ban.
In the other semi-final, World No 1 and tournament favourite Judd Trump is facing Mark Williams.
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Snooker Explained
“He will have more of a test against Mark or Judd, that will be a proper test.
“I’m at a loss about my game, I don’t know where the white ball is going.
“I wasn’t that surprised because I have been playing like that in practice and I don’t know how to fix it.”