Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the Johnstone’s Paint Masters on medical grounds, just two days before the tournament is due to start at Alexandra Palace. The seven-time world champion was scheduled to face Neil Robertson in the first round on Wednesday, but has been replaced by Chris Wakelin.
O’Sullivan claimed a record-extending eighth Masters title in 2024, but also pulled out of the event 12 months ago for the same reason. The 49-year-old, who turned 50 last month, has issued contradictory statements about his participation, telling TalkSport in September he would probably not play, before telling The Sun in November he would play “if I can,” citing his move to Dubai as a factor in prioritising tournaments.
His last competitive outing was at the UK Championship before Christmas, where he was eliminated in the first round by Zhou Yuelong. He has missed several tournaments this season, including the Wuhan Open and the British Open, citing medical reasons and the need to prioritise his mental health.
World Snooker confirmed the withdrawal in a statement, saying: “Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the Johnstone’s Paint Masters for medical reasons. He has been replaced in the draw by Chris Wakelin, who was the 17th seed at the cut-off point.” The exact nature of O’Sullivan’s medical condition has not been disclosed.
