When is Ronnie O'Sullivan likely to return after Wuhan Open snooker withdrawal?
Updated 05/10/2024 at 11:48 GMT+1
Ronnie O'Sullivan will miss this week's Wuhan Open, and the seven-time world champion is likely to sit out the rest of October which would see him skip the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast ahead of a possible return to the table in November as he prepares to defend his UK Championship title. O'Sullivan's last competitive match saw him lose to He Guoqiang in last 64 of the English Open.
Ronnie reveals Crucible matches he was 'gutted' to lose - and 'hell' of facing Ebdon in 2005
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Ronnie O'Sullivan is set to miss competitive action for the rest of October as he gears up for a huge November on the World Snooker Tour circuit.
O'Sullivan revealed earlier this week that he had no plans to retire, but did concede he would have to "pace" himself to boost his hopes of challenging for more titles.
"We all have moments where we hate what we do," said O'Sullivan speaking to 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 decided to opt out of the Wuhan Open this week and is likely to sit out the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast (October 20-27) ahead of huge events in November with the International Championship, Champion of Champions and UK Championship coming up next month.
"I don't really know [when I will return]. I'm taking some time out at the moment. Probably November or December. Something like that," said O'Sullivan.
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O'Sullivan emotional as he clinches UK Championship glory with stunning clearance
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He has been drawn against former women's world champion Mink Nutcharut in the first round of the International Championship in Nanjing (November 3-10) before the Champion of Champions (November 11-17) will see him chase a fifth title at the elite event in Bolton.
The 41-time ranking event winner is then due to defend the UK Championship (November 23-December 1) in his quest for a record-extending ninth triumph at York's Barbican Centre.
O'Sullivan lamented his performance in losing 4-2 to world No. 63 He Guoqiang in the last 64 of the English Open in Brentwood last month.
But the Essex player had made a strong start to the season with runs to the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters and Xi'an Grand Prix, and a quarter-final appearance at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
Meanwhile, the Wuhan Open gets underway on Sunday with Judd Trump defending the title live on Eurosport and discovery+.
Trump begins his campaign against Polish newcomer Antoni Kowalski at 3am UK time.
Mark Allen and David Gilbert have joined O'Sullivan in skipping the event.
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Trump clinches Wuhan Open title in style with century in final frame
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Stream top snooker action, including the Wuhan Open, live and on demand on discovery+
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