RONNIE O'Sullivan insists he will still walk away from snooker if he stops enjoying the game and revealed running has become his "number-one thing" ahead of his third 888.com World Championship final.
The 'Rocket' revealed there were times when he felt ill and depressed and "fell out of love with the game" when struggling for his best form.
It was all in contrast to the near-perfect display he produced in overwhelming seven-time world champion
Stephen Hendry 17-6 in the semi-finals with a session to spare.
Typically, O'Sullivan decided to don his running shoes on an unexpected day off, the love of another sport helping him to come to terms with life on the green baize.
He said: "How I am playing this game still, I don't know because there have been days where I have felt so ill, so depressed, just because of the game.
"I fell out of love with it because there was a time I wasn't able to produce the shots, even in practice.
"It just got so frustrating, I could not pot a ball, and it got so frustrating and I thought I might as well go and do something that I enjoy.
"I found running and it has become my number-one thing. I still love snooker but I just won't allow it to get to me like it got me.
"I have to have that option in my mind that I can walk away from it because, if I don't get the enjoyment, I still will walk away."
Hendry believes O'Sullivan can surpass his seven world titles.
O'Sullivan said: "I have done more than I expected from myself. I give myself a pat on the back. I've managed to turn things around and stay positive and have a reason to come to tournaments.
"I am definitely not getting carried away with anything. If the records come, then I will be the happiest man in the world because I know what I am capable of on the table."
The full article contains 346 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
