Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan pulls out of the Masters just days before the tournament begins; 'The Rocket' was due to play fellow Class of '92 legend John Higgins in the first round at Alexandra Palace
Last updated: 10/01/25 11:47am
Defending Masters champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from this year's event due to “medical reasons”
Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the Masters.
O'Sullivan won the title last January beating Ali Carter 10-7 in the final and holds the all-time record with eight wins.
However, 'The Rocket' will not compete at Alexandra Palace in London this year due to “medical reasons”, the World Snooker Tour said in a statement on Friday.
O'Sullivan was due to play fellow legend John Higgins in the first round on Sunday, but his place will now be taken by Neil Robertson in the tournament, which runs until January 19.
O'Sullivan withdrew from the Champions Snooker League on Thursday
The news follows reports that seven-time world champion O'Sullivan had thrown his stick in the bin on Thursday following his withdrawal from the Champions Snooker League.
The 49-year-old played four matches in the competition on Wednesday, losing three of them, and appeared to be struggling with his top.
He then slammed his club on the table in frustration and drove the cue ball into a group of reds during a loss to Robert Milkins on Thursday morning before withdrawing from the unranked tournament ahead of a scheduled afternoon meeting with Carter.
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“Last year's champion O'Sullivan was due to face John Higgins in the opening match on Sunday afternoon but has withdrawn due to medical reasons.”