Snooker superstar Ronnie O'Sullivan has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming Masters tournament, with organisers citing unspecified medical reasons for his sudden absence.
Tournament Absence and Recent Struggles
The shock announcement means 'The Rocket' will miss the chance to extend his record haul of eight Masters titles. This continues a pattern for the 50-year-old, who has missed several tournaments in recent seasons due to ongoing health concerns. His participation in UK events has become particularly sparse since his relocation to Dubai last year.
In the current 2025/26 season, O'Sullivan has played just one tournament on home soil: the UK Championship in December, where he suffered a first-round exit. That match was his first in Britain since his semi-final defeat to Zhao Xintong at the Crucible Theatre last May.
A Shift in Focus and Ranking Impact
Instead, O'Sullivan's playing schedule has leaned heavily towards events in Asia. He has competed twice in Saudi Arabia and made three appearances in China this season. Despite this reduced schedule and a slide from the very top of the world rankings, his quality ensured he still qualified for the prestigious Masters event at Alexandra Palace.
The exact nature of the medical condition prompting this withdrawal has not been disclosed. O'Sullivan was originally scheduled to face former world champion Neil Robertson in a blockbuster first-round tie on Wednesday 14 January at 7pm GMT.
Consequences for the Tournament Draw
As a direct result of his withdrawal, O'Sullivan has been replaced in the tournament draw by Chris Wakelin. Wakelin, who was the 17th seed at the qualification cut-off point, now steps into the vacant spot and will face Robertson. This late change adds an unexpected twist to the opening round of one of snooker's most celebrated triple crown events.
Fans and pundits alike will now await further updates on O'Sullivan's health and his anticipated return to competitive action, as another major snooker spectacle proceeds without its biggest draw.
