Two days before the tournament began, Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the Masters for medical reasons. The player, 50 years old, won his eighth title at this event in 2024, but also chose not to defend his crown 12 months ago due to similar reasons.
O’Sullivan was due to face Australian world number 3 Neil Robertson in the first round but has now been replaced in the draw by Scottish Open champion Chris Wakelin. He last competed before Christmas at the UK Championships, where he holds a record eight titles. The Brit, however, was eliminated in the first round by Zhou Yuelong.
O’Sullivan, who won his first Masters title in 1995 at just 19 years old, He said in 2025 that he would not participate in the Triple Crown event because he was under too much pressure and “lost control.” On this occasion, the exact reason for his medical condition has not been revealed.
This season the British player has missed several tournaments, including the Wuhan Open and the British Open, for medical or mental health reasons.
In recent years, in fact, O’Sullivan has had to deal with mental health, specifically depression and anxiety, and previously, addictions. “I lost seven years to drink and drugs,” he admitted in 2023. “I wasn’t focusing on snooker. I guess everyone has those problems, but there were 10 years there when I didn’t really do much. I didn’t practice much, I didn’t have the mental space to win.”
‘The Rocket’, who now lives in Dubai with his family, has his next opportunity to play in Britain at the Tour Championship in Manchester at the end of March.
