Ronnie O'Sullivan Withdraws from Masters Tournament

Ronnie O'Sullivan, the record eight-time champion of the Masters, has withdrawn from the tournament on medical grounds just 48 hours before it was set to begin. The 49-year-old was scheduled to face rival John Higgins in the opening match but has been replaced by Australia's Neil Robertson, who ranked 17th and narrowly missed qualifying. The announcement follows O'Sullivan's recent struggles at the Championship League, where he exhibited frustration during his matches, leading to speculation about his future in the sport. Despite previous comments indicating a desire to continue playing, this withdrawal raises concerns about his current condition and mindset. The Masters, a major event in snooker's calendar, runs from January 12 to 19 at Alexandra Palace in London, and O'Sullivan's absence is a significant blow to the tournament's appeal. World Snooker Tour confirmed the changes in a statement.