Defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew from the Masters due to health reasons.
O’Sullivan, 49, was aiming for a record ninth title and was due to face John Higgins in a blockbuster tournament opener at Alexandra Palace on Sunday.
The Englishman’s place in the invitational event for the 16 highest-ranked players in the world will be taken by Neil Robertson.
Like Higgins, the Australian is a two-time Masters winner, most recently winning in 2022, and was 17th in December.
O’Sullivan has won 41 ranking tournaments and seven world titles in his storied career since turning professional in 1992, winning his first championship crown in 1995 at the age of 19.
His success 12 months ago, at the age of 48, made him both the oldest and youngest winner of the second Triple Crown event of the season.
He also decided to skip the Masters in 2020. He withdrew from the Championship League this week ahead of the final group game on Thursday after feeling frustrated with his own performance in the 3-2 defeat to Robert Milkins.
“The Rocket” played four games on Wednesday, losing three of them, and slammed his bat on the table after missing an easy pink in his match against Milkins.
Although he quickly apologized to the referee and his opponent, there were reports from Leicester, external that he later threw the bat into the trash can before it was recovered.
Each round of the Masters tournament, which will take place from January 12 to 19, will be shown live on BBC television. You’ll also be able to watch uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and BBC Sport mobile app, plus BBC Red Button.
