Snooker great Ronnie O’Sullivan won’t defend his Masters title after pulling out of the event just 48 hours before it starts.
The eight time champion was attempting to extend his record with a ninth Masters crown at Alexandra Palace and was due to start the tournament with a showstopping clash against Wizard of Wishaw John Higgins. But after a string of defeats in the lead up saw him quit the Championship League one match early – having smashed his cue off the table and kicked out at it, O’Sullivan has now pulled out of his home event.
Neil Robertson has been named as The Rocket’s replacement and will feature in the tournament’s opening match against Higgins on January 12. Confirming the news via a statement, the WST said: “Neil Robertson has replaced Ronnie O’Sullivan in the draw for the upcoming Johnstone’s Paint Masters. Last year’s champion O’Sullivan was due to face John Higgins in the opening match on Sunday afternoon, but has withdrawn on medical grounds.” O’Sullivan has yet to comment publicly on the withdrawal.
He admitted that he was considering retirement last year, but seemed to reverse that after teaming up with Mark Williams’ coach Lee Walker – and saying that the move had him enjoying his snooker more than ever. At the time the Rocket said: “I wouldn’t say it’s the end, I definitely wouldn’t say it’s the end. I’m definitely going to keep playing. The last time I enjoyed playing snooker like I have done the last couple of months was when I was 14, I’ll be honest with you.
“I just said to Lee Walker, who I’ve been working with, just keep me going for 10 years, keep me enjoying it for 10 years. If I can enjoy it and not get many results I’ll take that, because I’ve had a lot of good results over my career. I don’t have anything to prove.”