Ronnie O'Sullivan withdraws from Wuhan Open as snooker absence continues following British Open withdrawal
Published 04/10/2024 at 10:09 GMT+1
Ronnie O'Sullivan will not be making his snooker return at the Wuhan Open. The Rocket has not played since losing in the first round of the English Open on September 17. He withdrew from the British Open and has now pulled out of the Wuhan Open due to medical reasons. O'Sullivan said recently that he will have to "pace" himself to extend his snooker career.
'Steady decline for five years' - O'Sullivan critical of performance despite victory over Zhang
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the Wuhan Open due to medical reasons.
The seven-time world champion has not played since a shock defeat to He Guoqiang in the first round of the English Open on September 17.
He was due to face Mitchell Mann in the opening round of the Wuhan Open on Sunday, but will be replaced by Mark Joyce.
O’Sullivan, who also withdrew from the British Open, said recently he will have to "pace" himself to extend his career, but has no plans to quit the sport.
"We all have moments where we hate what we do,” he told the BBC. "Then a few weeks later, you wake up and you go, 'Actually, I really love this'.
"That's normal for everybody. There are so many options I can take."
O'Sullivan also revealed he intends to join fellow Eurosport pundit Jimmy 'Whirwind' White by competing on the World Seniors tour this season.
"At the moment, I'm enjoying playing on the main tour," he said.
"There is the seniors tour where a lot of the players can go and play in an older category, and still really enjoy it. There is also a huge pool circuit in China now. Which is probably bigger than snooker. It is like their national sport out there at the moment.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/09/17/4041186-81961373-2560-1440.jpg)
He clinches shock win over O'Sullivan at English Open
Video credit: TNT Sports
"There are different avenues to go down. And there are other cue sports I can always turn my hand to.
"As long as there are no tournaments on the main tour, I can play in any event I want to, so I'll probably play in some seniors events in a few months' time."
David Gilbert has also withdrawn from the Wuhan Open due to medical reasons.
---
Stream top snooker action, including the Wuhan Open, on discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement