Ronnie O'Sullivan Withdraws from The Masters Due to Medical Reasons

Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from The Masters at Alexandra Palace due to medical reasons, ending his bid for a record-extending ninth title.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, the defending champion, has been forced to withdraw from The Masters at Alexandra Palace due to medical reasons. This unexpected development means that O'Sullivan will not be able to compete for a record-extending ninth Masters title.

O'Sullivan, 47, had been looking to build on his previous success at the prestigious tournament, but his withdrawal has now opened up opportunities for other contenders to claim the title. The exact nature of O'Sullivan's medical issue has not been disclosed.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, affectionately known as “The Rocket,” was set to face off against John Higgins in the first round of The Masters at Alexandra Palace in London this weekend. However, due to his withdrawal, O'Sullivan's spot in the tournament will be filled by Australian Neil Robertson.

As The Masters features an exclusive field of the world's top 16 players, Robertson's inclusion maintains the tournament's elite lineup. Interestingly, O'Sullivan had been in action just earlier this week, competing in the Champions League, where he played four matches on Wednesday.

Breaking: Reigning Masters champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the event on medical grounds.

Get well soon Ronnie 🙏 pic.twitter.com/bNJRNxjuCV

— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 10, 2025

O'Sullivan's performances in the Champions League were below par, as he suffered three losses. Following these disappointing results, he withdrew from the tournament before his final group game. During his match against Robert Milkins, O'Sullivan's frustration boiled over, and he was seen striking the table with his cue, visibly disappointed by his displays.