STRUGGLING Ronnie O’Sullivan’s absence from snooker tournaments will continue after he withdrew from next week’s World Open.
The Rocket, 49, will not travel to Yushan for the first Chinese event of 2025 after pulling out for medical reasons.
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The sport’s greatest player had been due to face Stuart Carrington in the opening round this Sunday.
But instead he will be replaced by Daniel Womersley, the highest-ranked available player on the 2024 Q School Order of Merit.
This is the sixth event that O’Sullivan has not played in since he lost his grip on the UK Championship in York in November.
The world No.4 chose not to play in the Shoot Out, Scottish Open, Masters, German Masters and last week’s Welsh Open.
The only time he has played this calendar year was in the without-fans Championship League in Leicester but he suffered a meltdown and snapped his cue.
Mentally, he is having a tough time off the table and does not feel ready to embrace competitive action again – even though the Crucible World Championship begins in exactly two months’ time (April 19).
O’Sullivan, who turns 50 in December, is adored in China and prefers playing there than in leisure centres or lower-key venues in the UK.
It is not known if he will attend the World Grand Prix next month in Hong Kong – where he has residency rights.
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The tournament in Yushan, China, starts on Sunday and the winners’ purse is £175,000.
O’Sullivan apologised to fans after withdrawing from the Welsh Open last week.
He said: “I realise plenty of people who bought tickets to some recent snooker events will have been frustrated when I withdrew.
“So I just wanted to say sorry to those of you who’ve been disappointed with me having to pull out of those tournaments.
“I’ve been trying to prioritise my health and well-being, which sometimes means making last-minute decisions not to play.
“It’s never an easy decision and I hate letting people down.
“I’m doing what I can to get back to my best, and I’m grateful for all your support and understanding.”