Ronnie O'Sullivan pulls out of Masters title defence as worrying statement released

Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the upcoming Masters snooker event, just two days before his scheduled opener against John Higgins.

Many predicted a record-extending ninth Masters title for the 49-year-old but after preparations took a hit this week, O'Sullivan has decided to withdraw from the tournament on medical grounds.

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 Last year’s champion O’Sullivan was due to face John Higgins in the opening match on Sunday afternoon, but has withdrawn on medical grounds.”

It added: "Higgins will now face Robertson, who was ranked in 17th position at the seeding cutoff after the Victorian Plumbing UK Championship. The Johnstone's Paint Masters runs from January 12th to 19th at Alexandra Palace in London."

Earlier this week, O'Sullivan decided to withdraw from the BetVictor Championship League before his final game in Group Three, after he suffered a 3-2 defeat to Robert Milkins.

After losing three of his four matches in the group stage phase, a frustrated O'Sullivan expressed his anger on numerous occasions throughout the game against Milkins.

The seven-time world champion missed a straightforward blue in the opening frame and his response was unusual, to say the least, as he sprayed his legs and stuck out his tongue. Milkins proceeded to clinch the frame.

O'Sullivan would go on to smash his cue on the table on multiple occasions at the Mattioli Arena, and is said to have thrown his snooker cue in the bin at the players' lounge afterwards.

'The Rocket' was scheduled to face Ali Carter at 2pm on Thursday but after deciding to call it quits, all of O'Sullivan's matches in the Championship League were voided.

Ronnie O'Sullivan pictured during the 2024 English Open. Image credit: Getty

Back in September, O'Sullivan criticised his own form and said his career has been in "steady decline" for five years.

After reaching the quarter-finals of the Saudi Arabia Masters, he told Eurosport: “I played better than I have been playing but still so many mistakes, so many unforced errors and just not good enough, but I have to accept that’s what it is.

“I’ve been on a steady decline probably for five years, it’s just getting a little bit worse and worse, but you just try and hang on for as long as you can, it happens to everybody.

“That’s the frustrating thing. Normally, I feel like I put enough pressure on my opponents to force them to make mistakes."

He added: "I’ve spent most of my career just feeling pretty much in control. I didn’t realise how much I was in control of matches until I’ve experienced not being in control of matches.”