Ronnie O'Sullivan admitted that he has become disillusioned with the snooker circuit despite reaching the second round of the Irish Masters on Sunday.
The 28-year-old swept past Michael Holt 5-2 in Dublin but then declared he was "fed up" with playing in tournaments.
"I don't really want to be here," said O'Sullivan. "The last thing I feel I want to be doing is playing snooker."
"My goal is to play well at the Crucible but when I come away I wonder if this is really what I want to do."
O'Sullivan echoed the thoughts of seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry who said on Saturday he found the sport a "chore".
"I've changed over the last year," added O'Sullivan.
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I was feeling good but nothing was going in
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"I'm a true professional - I apply myself instead of bashing balls about so I suppose it's not all bad.
"But it's going to be tough if I keep winning matches."
Paul Hunter endured a bad day on the table as he fell victim to world number 13 Graeme Dott.
The Masters champions could only manage a break of 34 and was roundly beaten 5-2.
"I was feeling good but nothing was going in," said Hunter.
"Graeme played solidly and deserved the win."
Peter Ebdon also advanced as he compiled two centuries to see off the challenge of Preston's Ian McCulloch.
The 2002 world champion rattled in breaks of 136, 64, 125 and 79 en route to the second round in Dublin.
In other opening round action, Scotland's John Higgins brushed aside Maltese player Tony Drago 5-1.
Hong Kong hopeful Marco Fu got the better of Scot Alan McManus by the same score, while former Crucible finalist Nigel Bond beat Joe Perry 5-3.
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