Ronnie O'Sullivan's withdrawal from the Welsh Open is just the latest twist in the snooker legend's start to 2025. O'Sullivan was set to face Jamie Clarke in Llandudno on Tuesday afternoon, but hours before they were supposed to begin, a World Snooker Tour statement confirmed the Rocket would be absent from North Wales. As a result, Clarke was given a bye to the next round. It is the fourth time in 2025 O'Sullivan has pulled out of a match or competition at the last minute. He recently refused to defend the Masters title he won last year.
The 49-year-old has also withdrawn from the German Masters, a Championship League game against Ali Carter, and an exhibition event in Finland. Here, Mirror Sport takes a closer look at the Rocket. O'Sullivan hasn't competed since his 3-2 defeat by Robert Milkins in the World Championship League last month. During that match, an irate O'Sullivan slammed his cue against the side of the table, breaking it on impact after missing a routine shot.
He then put that very cue in a bin before his manager Robbie retrieved it. Just days after his outburst, O'Sullivan withdrew from the Masters. He explained the cause of his anger, saying: "It was a nightmare decision really to make, if you'd have asked me Sunday if I was ready to play I'd probably have been ok to play. "But it's such a massive tournament. I'd been on a three-week trip away playing and I just think I exhausted myself, a lot of pressure while I was away. The build-up of all that just got a bit too much really. I lost the plot on Thursday, snapped my cue, so that's unplayable, so I knew at that moment in time the right decision was to not play and such a big tournament that I thought whoever was to come in should have had at least a couple of days notice.".
While commentating during Mark Selby's impressive 6-1 win over Ali Carter at the Masters, O'Sullivan appealed to the World Snooker Tour (WST) to consider hiring mental health professionals to support players. O'Sullivan, who has been open about his personal battles with depression, alcohol and drug abuse, said: "I think World Snooker should have someone like in football. "In football they may have a masseuse sorting out injuries. In snooker they should have someone at the tournament employed if there's someone struggling. For 10 minutes, if you need to come off the table [and talk] – I'm not saying everyone will go in there because a lot of players suffer in silence. I can tell. You just look at them and know they're struggling.
"But they should have someone to go to and talk to. I think that's so important. You have coaches sorting your cue action out, but really you need someone to just [help] unload a bit. I think it would really help the players. I know Shaun Murphy is part of the panel. I think they could find the money to employ someone full-time to be there for the players.". According to his current schedule, O'Sullivan will face Stuart Carrington in the World Open qualification round on February 23. However, given his recent withdrawals from several events, it remains uncertain whether he will participate.
O'Sullivan even pulled out of an exhibition event against John Higgins in Helsinki. His team apologised for cancelling the event 48 hours before it was set to take place. A statement from his team said: "We are really sorry to have to cancel the event in Helsinki this weekend. We will work with the promoters to find a date to reschedule a show when Ronnie is feeling better. We thank all his fans for their understanding.".
