O’Sullivan has repeatedly said that he has found things tough in recent years and has previously said he has taken medication to deal with anxiety.

His three-month absence from the sport earlier this season led to speculation over his future ,given he turns 50 in December.

At the Crucible he has found himself in his own personal battle to regain form and find a new cue he is satisfied with.

“I don’t even know if it was the cue, the ferrule or me. There were three things,” he said.

“I didn’t know where the white ball was going. I was at a loss.

“I won’t throw the cue. The merchandise people want it so it will be up for sale.

“I’ve been playing like that quite a lot in practice and it’s just hard to get my head around. I can’t even fix it, that’s the problem.

“I know I said I’d like to try and give it two years, but if you’re going to play like that it’s pretty pointless. It’s not good.”