Ronnie O’Sullivan’s partner Laila Rouass opens up on ‘soul destroying’ time as snooker legend talks about his ‘demons’

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN'S partner has opened up on the "soul-destroying" time she has had watching her his emotions fluctuate.

In the new documentary Ronnie O'Sullivan: The Edge of Everything, the snooker icon has lifted the lid on the mental health struggles he has faced throughout his career.

And in one scene, long-term partner Laila Rouass sat down with O'Sullivan after his 6-4 to loss Neil Robertson at the Masters in 2022.

She said: "I want you to do what makes you to be happy.

"I don't tell you to stop or to carry on. I would never put you in a situation like that.

"I am OK with it. I just think it's about management. There's so much self-criticism involved and a lot of time on your own to think."

O'Sullivan interjected by saying: "But I think I am much more comfortable with it now than I have ever been. 

"If I didn't stop before, when I was really uncomfortable, why would I stop now if I feel more comfortable with it? It is as if I have overcome my demons in a way."

Rouass then added: "I think that's your mood today. When you see it in a romantic way.

"But the reality is it's hard to watch somebody go through that emotionally.

"That's when the questions come in. 'Jesus, why is he doing this? Why does he put himself through it?'

"It's like so soul-destroying. But that's because I think you do love it, as much as you maybe hate to admit it."

In the documentary, which is in cinema and releases on Amazon Prime on Thursday, O'Sullivan also speaks about his dad going to jail with a life sentence for murder in 1992 and his later release in 2010.

He broke down in tears when recalling the last words his dad said to him before going to jail.

There are also accounts from his friends in the documentary, with Damien Hirst revealing how The Rocket almost checked into a mental health hospital before a Masters tournament.

Rouass and O'Sullivan had reportedly separated in 2022 before agreeing to give things another go.