Ronnie O’Sullivan: Defending champion withdraws from Masters at Alexandra Palace | Snooker news
Defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan pulls out of the Masters just days before the tournament begins; ‘The Rocket’ was due to play Class of ’92 legend John Higgins in the first round at Alexandra Palace
Last update: 10/01/25 11:47
Defending Masters champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from this year’s tournament for ‘medical reasons’
Defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the Masters.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 be competing at Alexandra Palace in London this year due to “medical reasons”, the World Snooker Tour said in a statement on Friday.
O’Sullivan was due to play fellow legend John Higgins in the first round on Sunday, but his place will now be taken by Neil Robertson in the tournament, which runs until January 19.
O’Sullivan retired from snooker’s Championship League on Thursday
The news follows reports that seven-time world champion O’Sullivan threw his stick in the basket on Thursday after retiring from snooker’s Championship League.
The 49-year-old played four matches in the competition on Wednesday, losing three of them, and appeared to be struggling to top his mark.
He then slammed his club on the table in frustration and hit the cue ball into a group of reds during a loss to Robert Milkins on Thursday morning before withdrawing from the event without a ranking ahead of a 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.
“Last year’s champion O’Sullivan was due to face John Higgins in the first leg on Sunday afternoon but has withdrawn due to health reasons.”
