Snooker player Ronnie O’Sullivan gives him harsh advice, telling him to “look for different things to accomplish” and resign.

After John Astley lost to Mark Williams 4-2 at the Welsh Open, Ronnie O’Sullivan said he should “find something else to do”.

As the game was evenly matched at 2-2, O’Sullivan, a seven-time world champion, did not hold back when questioned about a shot that Astley missed. O’Sullivan is currently a pundit for the competition.

O’Sullivan gave Astley a harsh evaluation, saying that “maybe it’s time to find something else to do” and that Astley lacks a “snooker brain” or strong technique.

“I think I should win the game if I have a chance,” he said to Eurosport. Sometimes it’s hard to decline balls, so if I’m out of position, I’m taking it on because I just can’t accept that I won’t win the frame. If you miss it, the red disappears, but I would definitely attempt to screw that in and pinch it in a little.

“But that was a poor shot—he’s not even on the black—to play it that way. It’s just that he doesn’t really have a snooker brain. It takes a smart intellect on your part.

“There are individuals who excel in math, English, or snooker, while others simply lack the mental aptitude to play the game well and will never be able to do so because their brain isn’t designed for the game.”

“Although I don’t think any of the top five players have a snooker brain, they can get away with it because of their excellent technique. I won’t name them. He doesn’t have either. He is not technically proficient and lacks even a snooker the cerebral cortex.

After abruptly withdrawing from the competition, O’Sullivan is now a pundit. In an Instagram photo, he wrote: “Good morning, people. This is to inform you that I will not be playing in Llandudno the following week, as I have chosen.

I have struggled with anxiety-driven stage fright for a long time, which is difficult to describe. Although it’s beyond my control or prediction, I make every effort to handle it. Sorry to those of you who have purchased tickets, but at this moment, I believe this is best for me and I just can’t get my cue out while I feel like this.”