Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan has made a late withdrawal from the 2026 Masters tournament, just days before the prestigious event was due to begin at London's Alexandra Palace.
Last-Minute Withdrawal and Official Statement
The World Snooker Tour (WST) confirmed the news in an official statement, citing medical reasons for the seven-time world champion's decision. O'Sullivan was scheduled to play his opening match against former champion Neil Robertson on Wednesday, January 14th at 7pm.
His place in the draw has been taken by Chris Wakelin, the recent Scottish Open champion, who was the 17th seed at the tournament's cut-off point. The news broke less than 38 hours before the tournament's start on January 11th.
History of Late Withdrawals and Health Focus
This marks the second consecutive year that 'The Rocket' has missed the Masters, one of snooker's coveted Triple Crown events. Last season, he withdrew to prioritise his mental health.
Reports suggest O'Sullivan has been feeling physically exhausted and under the weather, though he is said to be on the mend. His decision follows a pattern of late withdrawals in recent seasons, including the British Open in September and the Wuhan Open last year.
"I've been trying to prioritise my health and wellbeing, which sometimes means making last-minute decisions not to play," O'Sullivan said in a previous statement addressing similar situations. "It's never an easy decision and I hate letting people down."
Impact on the Tournament and O'Sullivan's Season
The Masters was set to be O'Sullivan's first competitive appearance in the UK since his surprise exit at the UK Championship in November, where he lost 6-4 to China's Zhou Yuelong.
Interestingly, in the lead-up to this withdrawal, O'Sullivan had been spotted practising in an Irish pub in sessions arranged by former professional Fergal O'Brien. His absence is a significant blow to the tournament, robbing fans of a marquee first-round clash with Robertson.
The eight-time Masters champion has previously described the event as one of his favourites, making this withdrawal a particularly tough call. The tournament at Alexandra Palace runs from January 11th to 18th.
