Snooker superstar Ronnie O'Sullivan has made a late withdrawal from the prestigious Masters tournament, citing medical grounds just two days before the event was due to begin.
Last-Minute Withdrawal Shakes Tournament Draw
The shock announcement was made by World Snooker on the eve of the tournament, which is scheduled to run from January 11th to 18th at London's Alexandra Palace. O'Sullivan, who celebrated his 50th birthday last month, was set to face Australian former world champion Neil Robertson in a blockbuster first-round match on Wednesday, January 14th.
His place in the draw has now been taken by Chris Wakelin, who was the 17th seed at the tournament's cut-off point. This marks the second consecutive year that 'The Rocket' has pulled out of the Masters, having also withdrawn 12 months ago for similar medical reasons.
A Season of Selective Appearances
The current world number eight has offered conflicting signals about his participation in recent months. In a September interview with talkSPORT, he stated, "I probably won't play the Masters this year." However, he later suggested to The Sun in November that he would compete "if I can," explaining that his relocation to Dubai last summer meant he had to be selective about which tournaments to enter.
This season has seen O'Sullivan miss several other major events, including the Wuhan Open and the British Open. On those occasions, he cited either medical issues or a need to protect his mental wellbeing as the reason for his absence.
Defending Champion Steps Away
The withdrawal is particularly notable as O'Sullivan is the tournament's reigning champion, having secured a record-extending eighth Masters title in 2024. He will not now have the opportunity to defend that crown.
His most recent competitive outing was at the UK Championship before Christmas, where he holds a joint-record eight titles. That campaign ended abruptly with a first-round defeat to China's Zhou Yuelong.
World Snooker's official statement confirmed: "Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the Johnstone's Paint Masters for medical reasons." The governing body has not disclosed the specific nature of the medical condition.
The focus now shifts to his replacement, Chris Wakelin, and whether the snooker icon will return to the table for the remainder of the season. Fans and pundits alike will be keenly awaiting an update on the health of one of the sport's greatest ever players.
