Kamal Ghorui
Ross Muir’s recent match against Ronnie O’Sullivan was already a tough moment on the table. But what happened after the game made things even harder. The Scottish snooker player has now shared that he received hurtful messages online following his defeat. His words have added a deeper and more serious side to what looked like just another result in the tournament.Muir lost 5-1 to Ronnie O’Sullivan in the first round of the World Open. The result itself was not surprising, given O’Sullivan’s level in the sport. But Muir later explained that he has been going through a very difficult time in his personal life. He revealed that he recently lost his mother, which has affected his focus and time away from the game.
Ross Muir opens up on online abuse after Ronnie O’Sullivan match as he shares impact of personal loss
Speaking on X, Ross Muir addressed the messages he received after the match. He kept his words calm but clear. He said, “I understand that sport brings strong opinions, but the abuse I’ve received after my match today is disappointing to see.”Then he shared something more personal, which changed the tone of the whole situation. He wrote, “I’ve recently lost my mother and, because of that, I haven’t been playing or competing much over the past few months.”That explains why the match meant more than just a scoreline for him. Coming back to compete while dealing with such a loss is not easy. Muir still stepped up to play, even though he was not fully ready.He added, “I’ll continue to do my best when I’m at the best table and I appreciate the support from those who show respect and understanding.” His message was simple. He is trying, and he values those who stand by him.Muir first turned professional in 2013. He later stepped away from the sport in 2019 before making a return in 2023. Right now, he is ranked 109 in the world and is still working to find his rhythm again.On the other side, Ronnie O’Sullivan showed his class once again. The seven-time world champion controlled the match and moved forward without much trouble. He even came close to a perfect 147 break during the game, showing that his level remains very high.After the match, O’Sullivan also spoke about his future. He said he plans to give himself two more years to improve his technique. If things do not work out, he may consider stepping away from the sport.Because of his win, O’Sullivan has moved into the last 32. His next scheduled opponent, Ishpreet Singh Chadha, withdrew from the tournament, which gave him a direct path forward. For Muir, though, the bigger story is not the loss. It is how he is dealing with everything around it, both on and off the table.
