Snooker superstar Ronnie O'Sullivan has made a shock withdrawal from the 2025 Masters tournament on medical grounds, with less than two days to go before the event begins.
Last-Minute Withdrawal Stuns Snooker World
The eight-time Masters champion, who is the sport's most iconic figure, was scheduled to face Neil Robertson in a blockbuster first-round match at Alexandra Palace this weekend. World Snooker confirmed the news in an official statement, citing "medical reasons" for his sudden exit.
This marks the second consecutive year that 'The Rocket' will be absent from the prestigious invitational event. Reports from The Sun indicate the 50-year-old has been feeling "physically drained" and was recently ill, though he is now reportedly on the road to recovery. The precise details of his medical condition have not been made public.
Preparation and Recent Activity
O'Sullivan had intended to compete and was even filmed practicing for the tournament in an unconventional setting—a snooker table in an Irish pub. However, his match play has been extremely limited in the UK over the past year.
Since his semi-final defeat to eventual champion Zhao Xintong at the World Championship last April, O'Sullivan has contested just one professional match on British soil. That was a first-round loss at the UK Championship in York last November.
The snooker icon, who now lives in Dubai with his wife Laila Rouass and runs a snooker academy in Saudi Arabia, also opted out of the 2024 Masters. He stated at the time that he was not in the right mental state to compete, a period preceded by him snapping his cue in frustration during the Champions League.
Tournament Consequences and Replacement
O'Sullivan's withdrawal directly benefits Chris Wakelin. The reigning Scottish Open champion, who was first reserve for the tournament, now steps up to take O'Sullivan's place in the 16-player field.
It is a significant blow for the tournament, as O'Sullivan remains its most successful player ever, having extended his record to eight Masters titles with his victory in 2024. His absence for a second year running will be keenly felt by fans and organisers alike.
The Johnstone's Paint Masters is set to begin on Sunday, 12th January, and will conclude on Sunday, 18th January 2025, at its iconic London venue, Alexandra Palace.
