Ronnie O'Sullivan's legendary 'fear factor' has diminished, according to snooker insiders, as the 50-year-old prepares to compete at the China Open this weekend. The seven-time world champion has not won a ranking event since January 2024, and his recent quarter-final exit at the Shanghai Masters has prompted analysts to suggest that opponents are no longer intimidated by his presence.
O'Sullivan's Recent Struggles
O'Sullivan, who has been a dominant force in snooker for over three decades, reached two major ranking finals last season but failed to secure a title. His last professional victory came in March 2024, and his latest campaign began with a 5-3 defeat to Kyren Wilson in Shanghai. Despite producing three consecutive centuries against Wilson, O'Sullivan could not maintain his form, and Wilson ultimately prevailed.
Commentator and world number 75 Steven Hallworth believes that O'Sullivan's ability to psychologically overwhelm opponents has waned. 'I think he's probably just lacking that edge now,' Hallworth said on the WST Snooker Club podcast. 'That fear factor is gone, really, for Ronnie. You look at that little spell against Kyren, three centuries in a row. I think gone are the years now of Ronnie doing that against somebody and the player just completely collapsing, wilting and just falling aside. The players are used to seeing that. They're seeing that day-in-day-out in practice and in qualifiers. It's not uncommon now and the response comes, eventually, from the other guys. I just think that edge is lacking.'
Expert Analysis: Aura Has Faded
Fellow commentator Dave Hendon, author of 'Pots of Gold: A History of Snooker', echoed Hallworth's sentiments but remains optimistic about O'Sullivan's chances. 'I wouldn't rule out him winning more tournaments,' Hendon said on the Snooker Scene x Talking Snooker Special. 'He's certainly not done at the top level, he can produce these bursts of frames. I think what has changed, a bit of the aura has gone in terms of the fear factor. It's still an occasion playing him, but players are no longer beaten before they start. Even top players maybe 10 years ago, it felt like they were a few frames down before they started against him. I think that has changed.'
Hendon added that if O'Sullivan can sustain a high level of play, he could still win any tournament, citing the examples of John Higgins reaching finals and Mark Williams winning events at similar ages. 'These guys are very special,' he noted.
Signs of Vulnerability
O'Sullivan's defeat to John Higgins at the World Championship in April, where he let a 9-4 lead slip to lose 13-12, highlighted a new fragility in his game. However, he demonstrated his enduring class by thrashing debutant He Guoqiang 10-2 in the opening round. His two 147s in a single match against Chris Wakelin at the Saudi Arabia Masters and a world record break of 153 against Ryan Day at the World Open remain among the highlights of his recent career.
China Open Prospects
O'Sullivan begins his China Open campaign on Sunday at 12:30pm UK time against Jackson Page. The tournament, which has a rich history in snooker, offers him an immediate opportunity to end his title drought. With his aura no longer intimidating opponents, O'Sullivan will need to rely on his exceptional talent and experience to prevail against a field that no longer fears him.
