Ronnie o'sullivan makes plea to snooker chiefs again after it fell on deaf ears

Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan has called on the sport's chiefs to hire a doctor to safeguard players' mental health. The Masters champion made headlines when he withdrew

from the tournament just two days before his first-round match against John Higgins. The 49-year-old's decision followed him recently breaking his cue in reaction to losing to Robert

Milkins in the Championship League. O'Sullivan is aware that he is not the only person who has struggled with the mental side of the sport and has called for World Snooker to provide

players with support. It is not the first time that O'Sullivan has voiced his concerns. In an emotional discussion at the Welsh Open last February, he suggested that a doctor be

employed at every tournament. The seven-time world champion raised the topic again at The Masters when speaking alongside Alan McManus and Mark Selby at Alexandra Palace. "I think World

Snooker should have somebody. In football, they have masseuses, people sorting out injuries," O'Sullivan told Eurosport. "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? "I'm not saying everyone will go in there, but I

just think a lot of players suffer in silence, basically. I can tell, just look at them and they're struggling. They should have someone to go and talk to. I think that's so

important. You have coaches sorting your correction out but really you need someone just to unload a bit. I think it would really help the players." O'Sullivan acknowledged the

existing support but feels a lot more can be done, adding: "I know Shaun Murphy is part of the panel, but they could find the money to employ someone full-time to be there for the

players. It really is tough mentally. "He's (Mark Selby) struggled mentally and I struggle mentally and John Higgins struggles mentally. The other 124 are a million per cent

struggling mentally but you're not allowed: 'Oh, what's the matter? You're a snooker player, you're getting paid this and that'. Well, it's not about the

money. It's just pride of performance. "You want to put a show on for the crowd, you want to put a show on for yourself, you want to play well and when you don't it can really

drive you crazy. Sometimes, a little five, 10 minutes: 'I'm alright now, I can sleep now and look forward to tomorrow'. Instead of going back and beating yourself up."

O'Sullivan moved to assure fans about his well-being after choosing to drop out of The Masters on medical grounds, explaining he was worn out from a hectic schedule. He won a record

eighth Masters title with his victory over Ali Carter in last year's final.