O'Sullivan to take Crucible break

World Snooker Championship
Date: 18 April-4 May Venue: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Coverage: Live coverage each day on BBC Two, BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website (UK only), updates on BBC Radio 5 Live. Full TV schedule

O'Sullivan is aiming to become the first back-to-back winner since 1996

World Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan says he will have to take a break during the 17-day tournament in Sheffield if he is to keep in the right frame of mind.

O'Sullivan cruised to a 10-5 victory over practice partner Stuart Bingham on Saturday as he began his title defence.

"It's a long tournament at 17 days, I think it's too long to be here. It's longer than the Olympics," he said.

"Being here for 17 days, I'd be demented so I might go home or go and stay at my friend's house."

The 33-year-old has a well documented lack of patience and short fuse while he has also battled with depression in recent years.

He added: "Being somewhere for 17 days is a long time. I get bored after three days on holiday so I may just break it up a little bit."

606: DEBATE

Can O'Sullivan defend his title?

Last year's summer Olympics in Beijing spanned 16 days, excluding the opening ceremony and the preliminary football matches.

O'Sullivan is aiming to become the first back-to-back winner of the tournament since Stephen Hendry in 1996, having also won the tournament in 2001, 2004 and last year.

He must wait until Thursday for his second-round match to start.