RON HIS WAY

Doherty fears Rocket will quit if he wins world title

- BY SHANE MacDERMOTT

KEN DOHERTY reckons Ronnie O'Sullivan could quit if he wins a record eighth World Championship this year.

The Rocket, who plays China's Pang Junxu in the last 16 at the Crucible today, was unsure whether he would even turn up to the Sheffield showpiece after severe bouts of stage fright this season.

O'Sullivan is the greatest player ever to pick up a cue but has been plagued by his perfectionist gene and has labelled snooker "evil."

The pressures of being the biggest star in a solo sport have left the Crucible king wishing he was a Premier League footballer with the safety net of being in a team environment.

Former world champion Doherty (top) said: "I think if he wins it this year he might say, 'That's it for me.'