Ronnie O’Sullivan and Dave Gilbert have both withdrawn from the Wuhan Open, which starts on Sunday, citing medical reasons.
It is little surprise that the Rocket has pulled out of the event after stating in recent interviews that his next trip to China is planned for November’s International Championship.
Gilbert is certainly more of a shock having been in impressive form so far this season, but the world number 19 is struggling with a back problem.
Despite picking up a lot of good results this campaign, the Farmer has been suffering with sciatica and it is currently too bad to make the long trip to Wuhan.
The 43-year-old played in International Championship qualifying on Wednesday, beating Bai Yulu 6-2 but really struggling with pain in his back.
O’Sullivan has been replaced in the draw by mark Joyce, who will play Mitchell Mann in the opening round.
There has been no announcement yet on whether Gilbert will be replaced in his opening round tie against Wang Xinbo.
Explaining his back problem to Metro.co.uk in August, Gilbert said: ‘I’m a farmer so I just get on with it, but it’s agony! Three or four weeks I’ve been struggling, it’s bad!
‘I’m alright when I’m down on the shot, it’s the getting round the table, I’m just dragging my feet round.
‘It’s basically my right side. It started in me back, then a few days later it got worse, it was like I got shot in my arse! Down there and down my right leg, it’s horrible. Can’t get comfy, sleeping’s a nightmare, walking’s the worst though.’
O’Sullivan told Virgin Radio of his scheduling plans up till Christmas: ‘I will enter them [tournaments] and if I feel like the day before I want to go then I’ll go but if I’m not up for it then I’ll just say I’m not ready for it. They’ll always get a replacement to come in and take my place.’
On his plans to play in Asia he added: ‘Possibly yeah in November, just outside of Shanghai. That’s a ranking event, quite a big tournament, I’ll play in that and then I’ll go to another city in China and play in an Asian PTC event which is just for Chinese players but they’ve invited me to go along and play, so I’ll go and do that as well.
‘I’ll come back and probably have a week off then probably go to York because it’s the UK Championships and I like York. Then off to Macau again at Christmas. That’s the plan.’
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