Snooker superstar Ronnie O'Sullivan has delivered a fresh blow to fans by withdrawing from the 2026 Masters tournament, marking the second consecutive year he has pulled out of the prestigious event.
A Pattern of Last-Minute Withdrawals
The 50-year-old champion, who triumphed at the Masters in 2024, was scheduled to play Australia's Neil Robertson in the first round this Wednesday. He has been replaced in the draw by Scottish Open winner Chris Wakelin. This latest exit follows a string of absences this season, including the Wuhan Open and British Open, where O'Sullivan cited either health concerns or a need to protect his mental wellbeing.
While the precise medical reason for his current withdrawal remains private, it continues a troubling trend. The snooker icon had previously hinted at his potential non-participation in a September interview with talkSPORT, stating, "I probably won't play the Masters this year." He later suggested his relocation to Dubai meant he had to be more selective about his tournament schedule.
A History of Physical and Mental Battles
O'Sullivan's struggles are multifaceted. Physically, he has contended with significant setbacks. In March 2023, he suffered a torn muscle in his right arm during a gym session, an injury that recurred and forced him out of events like the WST Classic. Later in 2023, he battled plantar fasciitis, pain so severe he had to break professional dress code by wearing trainers during UK Championship matches.
However, the psychological challenges appear even more profound. His withdrawal from the 2025 Masters was described by the player himself as a "nightmare decision" driven by immense pressure, admitting he had "lost the plot." This period saw a severe crisis of confidence; in April 2025, he confessed to being "scared to go near a snooker table" and feared he had "lost his bottle."
The anxiety peaked at last year's World Championship, where his first-round match with Ali Carter triggered severe nerves, leading him to later label snooker a "killer of a sport." O'Sullivan has long been open about his work with renowned psychiatrist Steve Peters and has repeatedly called for the World Snooker Tour to provide full-time mental health support at tournaments.
What Comes Next for The Rocket?
O'Sullivan's most recent competitive outing was a surprising 6-4 loss to China's Zhou Yuelong in the first round of December's UK Championship. Even after that defeat, he was non-committal about the Masters, stating he would review his situation in January.
His next opportunity to compete in the UK will now likely be the Tour Championship in Manchester, starting in late March, or the World Championship in Sheffield this April. Fans and the sport's governing bodies will be watching closely, hoping the snooker genius can find a sustainable path to balance his unparalleled talent with his wellbeing.
The repeated withdrawals highlight the intense pressures at the pinnacle of professional sport and raise ongoing questions about the support systems in place for elite athletes grappling with both physical and mental health challenges.
