Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has been accused of lacking respect after he withdrew from the Welsh Open hours before his opening match.
Many supporters had journeyed miles to reach Venue Cymru in time for O’Sullivan’s 1pm game, which was set to be his first appearance on the baize in a month after recent withdrawals from the Masters and German Masters. The seven-time world champion was due to face Jamie Clarke, who received a bye into the second round due to the late change.
Daniel Rees, owner of Cardiff Classic Shirts, made a six-hour round trip from the capital and even stayed overnight in Chester before heading to Llandudno to see snooker icon O’Sullivan play. But his reward was only disappointment as he heard the news while on his way to the event.
“We got the train up last night and stayed overnight in Chester, got up early this morning and he was still in the line-up,” he told the Daily Express. “Once the TV coverage had started I thought he would definitely be appearing.
“But when we were 10 minutes away from the venue they announced it [O’Sullivan’s withdrawal] on the TV. It shows a complete lack of respect for travelling fans and I would question whether WST [World Snooker Tour] announced it so late to ensure extra ticket sales. When were they informed of his withdrawal? He must have known yesterday he wouldn’t be here today.”
Rees recounted meeting fans who had travelled from as far as Canada to witness O’Sullivan’s eagerly awaited comeback, only to find out the match was cancelled. Clarke advanced to the second round by default, prompting fans to express their anger on social media.
The World Snooker Tour (WST) announced: “Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of the BetVictor Welsh Open. O’Sullivan was due to face Jamie Clarke at 1pm on Tuesday afternoon. Clarke will now receive a bye to the last 32.”
Metro received confirmation from the WST that his withdrawal occurred on the morning of the match. O’Sullivan is next due to compete against Stuart Carrington on February 23 at the World Open in Yushan, China.
After withdrawing from several events – including the Masters, German Masters, and an exhibition in Finland – O’Sullivan revealed his frustrations to Eurosport. These same emotions led to him breaking his cue during the Championship League.
“It was a nightmare decision [pulling out of the Masters] really to make,” he said. “If you’d have asked me Sunday if I was ready to play I’d probably have been ok to play. But it’s such a massive tournament.
“I’d been on a three-week trip away playing and I just think I exhausted myself, a lot of pressure while I was away. The build-up of all that just got a bit too much really.
“I lost the plot on Thursday, snapped my cue, so that’s unplayable, so I knew at that moment in time the right decision was to not play and such a big tournament that I thought whoever was to come in should have had at least a couple of days notice.”