Defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan withdraws from the Masters tournament just days before the tournament starts; ‘The Rocket’ was scheduled to face 1992 legend John Higgins in the first round at Alexandra Palace
Last update: 10/01/25, 11:47
Defending Masters champion Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew from this year’s event ‘due to health reasons’
Defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew from the Masters.
O’Sullivan won the title last January, beating Ali Carter 10-7 in the final, and holds the all-time record with eight wins.
However, ‘The Rocket’ will not compete at Alexandra Palace in London on Friday ‘due to medical reasons’.
On Sunday, O’Sullivan was scheduled to face another legend, John Higgins, in the first round, but now Neil Robertson will take his place in the tournament, which runs until January 19.
On Thursday, O’Sullivan withdrew from the snooker league
The news follows reports that seven-time world champion O’Sullivan threw his cue into the bin on Thursday after withdrawing from the Championship Snooker League.
The 49-year-old played four games in the competition on Wednesday, losing three of them, and appeared to have trouble passing the tip.
He then slammed his cue on the table in frustration and threw the cue ball at the red group during a loss to Robert Milkins on Thursday morning, then withdrew from the unranked event ahead of his scheduled afternoon meeting with Carter.
A statement from the World Snooker Tour read: “Neil Robertson has replaced Ronnie O’Sullivan in the draw for the upcoming Johnstone’s Paint Masters competition.
“Last year’s champion O’Sullivan was due to face John Higgins in the opening match on Sunday afternoon but withdrew for health reasons.”
