Phil Haigh
Published December 2, 2025 5:33pm
Updated December 2, 2025 5:57pm
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
Ronnie O’Sullivan lost his opening game at the UK Championship (Picture: Getty Images)
Ronnie O’Sullivan admitted he was ‘ropy’ in UK Championship defeat to Zhou Yuelong on Tuesday, feeling a change of tip did not help his cause.
The Rocket was beaten 6-4 by the 27-year-old, with Zhou scoring a first win over the seven-time world champion at the eighth time of asking.
There was some really good stuff in there from the 49-year-old, who made breaks of 71, 123, 62, 94, 65 and 56.
However, he made some surprising errors and admitted Zhou deserved to beat him.
‘Obviously he played better,’ the Rocket told the BBC. ‘I didn’t really give him much of a fight. A lot of bad mistakes really, basic ones. He deserved his victory.
‘Defeat’s defeat innit? You’ve got to just accept it as part and parcel of being a professional sportsman.’
Speaking in a post-match press conference, O’Sullivan said he was not feeling entirely comfortable with the tip he was using at the Barbican.
O’Sullivan has not won a ranking title since January 2024 (Picture: Getty Images)
A recent switch to harder tips has proved a bit hit-and-miss and he now intends to return to one with ‘a little bit more give.’
‘I’m enjoying playing. Since the start of the season I’ve enjoyed playing,’ he said.
‘That was a bit of a ropy performance. I have to admit that, I’m not going to shy away from that.
‘I’ve started using harder tips. The one I played in Saudi, the first one, was great and China felt good. I’m not making excuses, I never make excuses, that’s just not me. But I think all the players are trying different tups. I’ve gone to a harder one. Maybe my touch and feel is not as good, I don’t know.
Zhou Yuelong moves into the last 16 in York (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Maybe I need to go back to something that has a little bit more give.’
O’Sullivan is not despondent about his game, though, saying: ‘I feel like I’m hitting the ball alright. That’s the most important thing.’
Outside of a run to the Saudi Arabia Masters final, it has been a quiet season so far for the Rocket and it is not clear when we will see him back on the table.
Earlier this campaign he suggested he would not play at the Masters in January and he was non-committal about his attendance at Alexandra Palace after defeat at the Barbican.
He told the BBC on whether he will play in London: ‘I’ll have a nice Christmas, enjoy that and see how I feel come January.’
Asked the same question in a press conference, he said: ‘Hopefully. I’d like to. We’ll see.’
More Trending
-
Ronnie O'Sullivan ranks his snooker rivals into three tiers
Channel: Snooker Snooker 3 hours ago By Phil Haigh - Jimmy White frustrated with snooker star's reaction to UK Championship loss
- Mark Williams tells Ronnie O'Sullivan how he can start winning tournaments again
- Mark Allen makes brutally honest Scott Donaldson prediction after UK Championship defeat
Zhou moves on to the last 16 where he will take on Mark Selby for a place in the quarter-finals after the Jester from Leicester downed Lei Peifan 6-2 on Tuesday afternoon.
On a first win over O’Sullivan, Zhou said: ‘I think for my career it’s one big win!
‘Before I lost many times to Ronnie, every time I played Ronnie I was so nervous. When I was a child I was watching Ronnie all the time on the TV.
‘I have so much respect for Ronnie, he’s a great snooker player and also he’s won the UK Championship eight times. He’s King in the Barbican! I’m so proud of myself.’
Arrow MORE: Mark Allen makes brutally honest Scott Donaldson prediction after UK Championship defeat
Arrow MORE: Ronnie O’Sullivan insists he’s third tier as he ranks snooker rivals into three levels
Arrow MORE: Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry talk up Zhao Xintong with huge predictions
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source Football Newsletter – In The MixerYour guide to the week in football. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk – sign up, it’s an open goal.
Team Expand Options ? Select All Select All Arsenal Arsenal Aston Villa Aston Villa Bournemouth Bournemouth Brighton Brighton Burnley Burnley Chelsea Chelsea Crystal Palace Crystal Palace Everton Everton Fulham Fulham Leeds United Leeds United Liverpool Liverpool Manchester City Manchester City Manchester United Manchester United Newcastle Newcastle Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest Sunderland Sunderland Tottenham Tottenham West Ham West Ham Wolves Wolves Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy
