Ronnie O’Sullivan opens up about playing with new tip following Welsh Open victory over Ben Mertens

Ronnie O’Sullivan says he is “enjoying the challenge” of playing with a new tip after he was forced to take action following some unwanted drama in the earlier rounds of the Welsh Open.

Although he wasn’t at his best, O’Sullivan did make two 55 breaks and a break of 68 as he proved too strong for his young opponent.

“It was a new tip, so I didn’t have the worry of it like coming off. So, just got to get used to it a little bit, I suppose,” O’Sullivan said in the Eurosport studio afterwards.

Asked by Neal Foulds if he has to think about hitting the centre of the ball with the new tip, O’Sullivan responded: “I don’t know. I try not to think about it, to be honest with you.

“I’m just trying to think about just staying present. Just dealing with whatever I’ve got. Tip is great, tip is bad – there’s not a lot I can actually do about it.

“Like I’ve said, I’ve just got to focus on what I’ve got, trying to do my best. I’m not going to try and go down this road of perfection. There’s no point, you’ll drive yourself crazy.”

O’Sullivan was on a break to go 3-0 up on Wednesday night before his tip flew off for a third time in Llandudno, having come off twice in his previous match against Ross Muir, which left him frustrated before he went on to whitewash his opponent.

He told Lawler his “cue was broken” before getting a new tip fitted by tournament director Paul Collier.

“I think I’m best suited if I can just keep my mind right, deal with the situation as it is, you know,” O’Sullivan continued following victory over Mertens.

“Forget how I’m playing. Because I can be hard on myself. So, I’m just trying to make do with what I’ve got, and get the best out of myself in every match, every minute, every situation.

“If I win, great. If I don’t, come back next week.”

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