By Mark Walker, Press Association
Published: 00:37 BST, 6 June 2019 | Updated: 00:37 BST, 6 June 2019
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Ronnie O'Sullivan has claimed if he could again choose a career he would not opt for snooker due to the toll it has taken on his mental health.
The five-time world champion blamed the sport for being prescribed antidepressants in 2001, and revealed the pressure led to panic attacks.
'Snooker is a really hard sport and if I had my time over again I definitely wouldn't choose snooker as a sport to pursue,' the world No 1 told the BBC's Don't Tell Me the Score podcast.
Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan has spoken frankly about his mental health problems
'A lot of people have said over the years, he's up and down, he's unstable, and I'm not. I always call it 'snooker depression'.'
O'Sullivan has spent the last 25 years at the top and is widely considered to be the best snooker player of all time.
But 'The Rocket', reported to have won over £10million in prize money since turning professional in 1992, recalled calling the Samaritans for help before the 2001 World Championships.
'If I didn't play snooker, I would never have to take any medication ever,' he said, while recalling how he felt after a radio interview before the tournament had to be cut short due to
