Ronnie O’Sullivan withdraws from The Masters
Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of The Masters just 48 hours before the tournament is set to begin, reports BritPanorama.
The eight-time Masters champion, aged 50, was scheduled to face Australian Neil Robertson on Wednesday evening for the concluding match of round one.
His place in the draw will now be taken by Scottish Open winner Chris Wakelin, who had been prepared as a reserve. Multiple reports indicate that O’Sullivan has been ill recently and is feeling “physically drained.”
This withdrawal marks a disappointing turn for O’Sullivan, who has expressed deep regret over his absence from one of his preferred tournaments. While he is “gutted” to miss the event, he prioritised notifying fans promptly, according to sources. This unexpected retreat follows a sparse playing schedule in Britain, with only one match since last November, following his semi-final loss at the Crucible in May 2025.
O’Sullivan’s absence raises questions about his fitness as he has previously also pulled out of the 2025 Masters. As one of snooker’s most celebrated figures, his participation is highly anticipated, and fans will now look forward to his eventual return to the table.
In snooker, every match, every withdrawal, creates ripples throughout the community, reminding us of the fine line between competition and health, and how a champion’s journey can be easily interrupted.
