Ronnie O’Sullivan withdraws from Masters, surprising Jimmy White
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s recent withdrawal from the Masters has left snooker enthusiasts and fellow players in shock, particularly Jimmy White, who was under the impression that O’Sullivan had adequately prepared for the event. The World Snooker Tour cited medical reasons for his absence just days before the tournament was scheduled to begin, reports BritPanorama.
White, speaking from the TNT Sports studio, expressed his disbelief, stating, “I know he has been practising.” He noted that O’Sullivan had been training in Ireland alongside players Aaron Hill and Jordan Brown, making his withdrawal unexpected. “We all thought he was going to play in the event,” White added.
O’Sullivan, 50, was set to face former world champion Neil Robertson on the opening evening of the tournament. The WST confirmed in a statement that O’Sullivan would not be competing, explaining that his withdrawal was due to medical issues. Chris Wakelin, who was the 17th seed at the cut-off point, replaced O’Sullivan but unfortunately lost his first match to the Australian Robertson with a score of 6-2.
Concerns have arisen about O’Sullivan’s extended absence from competitive play, particularly in light of his pursuit of an eighth World Championship title in April. White expressed that the lack of match practice could hinder O’Sullivan’s performance as he strives to surpass Stephen Hendry’s record. “The more this goes on without match practice, going into trying to beat Stephen Hendry’s record of winning eight world titles, which is coming up in three months’ time, it is not a lot of match practice for sharpness,” White commented. “It would just be nice to see him play, he is wonderful to watch.”
Mark Allen, the world number 10, also shared his surprise at O’Sullivan’s decision to withdraw. Having practised with O’Sullivan in the lead-up to the tournament, Allen remarked, “I was very surprised. I was practising with him just before the UK [Championship] and what he was saying, he was leaning towards playing here.” He added, “I hope that whatever has gone on he is okay because the game is better with him in it.”
In a sport where the presence of iconic figures like O’Sullivan can shape the narrative, his absence from the Masters serves as a stark reminder of the fragility that underlies even the brightest talents in snooker. As the tournament unfolds, fans will be left to ponder the implications of his exit — a pivotal moment in an already unpredictable season.
