Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the 2025 Masters on the Alexandra Palace citing medical grounds, it was introduced on Friday.
The Rocket was scheduled to face previous foe John Higgins within the first spherical on the opening day of the celebrated invitational in London.
However O’Sullivan has endured a tough 2024/25 snooker season to this point, pulling out of quite a few tournaments on the final minute.
The 49 year-old participated in Group 3 of Championship League Snooker on Wednesday and Thursday on the Mattioli Area in Leicester.
Nonetheless, he pulled out halfway by the round-robin part having misplaced 4 out of the 5 fixtures he had contested.
O’Sullivan appeared to expertise tip troubles throughout his outing with Robert Milkins, the place his detached kind additionally acquired the higher of him as he rattled his cue in opposition to the desk in frustration earlier than apologising to his opponent and the referee.
It was later reported that the seven-time world champion had thrown his cue within the bin earlier than leaving the venue.
He was resulting from face Ali Carter in his last round-robin match however duly withdrew from the occasion and has adopted that up a day later by opting to skip the calendar’s second-biggest competitors.
The World Snooker Tour launched an announcement on Friday morning, which learn: “Final yr’s champion [Ronnie] O’Sullivan was resulting from face John Higgins within the opening match on Sunday afternoon, however has withdrawn on medical grounds.”
It’s the sixth time this season that O’Sullivan has pulled out of an occasion on the calendar.
Neil Robertson is the beneficiary on this event, with the Australian set to just accept O’Sullivan’s place within the 2025 Masters draw.
Robertson was ranked because the world quantity 17 on the finish of the UK Championship, when the highest 16 spots for the Masters have been confirmed.
“From a private level, I’m buzzing to be within the Masters,” Neil Robertson mentioned after studying of his unlikely ticket to compete for the £350,000 high prize.
“However I actually hope Ronnie’s okay. He’s been a bit detached when it comes to his ideas on the sport this season.”
“I hope he’s good and we see him again enjoying quickly. It’s essential, if he’s feeling the way in which he’s to tug out of the Masters, that he takes a break to refocus.”
The 42 year-old, who gained the Masters in 2012 and 2022, will as an alternative have the chance to problem Higgins on the Ally Pally on Sunday.
Information of the absence of Ronnie O’Sullivan will show disappointing to snooker followers world wide who have been hoping to see him go for a record-extending ninth crown.
However there’ll nonetheless be loads of star high quality on present within the English capital metropolis, with Robertson representing a marquee-name substitute.
The 2025 Masters runs from January twelfth to nineteenth, with a report whole prize fund and champion’s cheque on supply this yr.
2025 Masters snooker draw
Neil Robertson vs John Higgins
Shaun Murphy vs Gary Wilson
Mark Allen vs Si Jiahui
Mark Selby vs Ali Carter
Judd Trump vs Barry Hawkins
Mark Williams vs Ding Junhui
Luca Brecel vs Chris Wakelin
Kyren Wilson vs Zhang Anda
Featured picture credit score: WST
