Ronnie O’Sullivan WITHDRAWS from World Grand Prix and won’t play again for weeks until World Snooker Championship
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN’s next snooker match will be at the Crucible in seven weeks’ time after he pulled out of the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong
The Rocket has only played five times in 2025, but that was in the behind-closed-doors Championship League in Leicester when he snapped his cue in anger.
The former world No.1 has residency in Hong Kong and snooker bosses were hoping he would return for the expanded tournament, which begins on Tuesday.
However, he has now withdrawn for medical reasons and his spot in the draw will be taken up by Iranian Hossein Vafaei, who plays exciting Chinese cueist Si Jiahui on Wednesday.
And because of his inactivity this season, O’Sullivan has not managed to qualify for the Players Championship in Telford nor the Tour Championship in Manchester.
That means the next time he appears with a cue in his hand will be in April at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield, an event he has won a joint-record seven times.
O’Sullivan, 49, is struggling in his personal life and does not plan to return to the glare of professional snooker until he is mentally ready.
He said: “I am very disappointed not to be competing.
“I had been eager to make my comeback in Hong Kong and have put in my utmost effort but unfortunately must consider my health.
“I wish to sincerely thank the organisers and all the Hong Kong fans for their support.”
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But good news for fans, sources say he is gradually getting better and there is an expectation he will play at the Crucible.
Since losing in the UK Championship first round to Barry Hawkins on November 23, O’Sullivan has pulled out of SEVEN tournaments.
He did not play in the Shoot Out, Scottish Open, Masters, German Masters, Welsh Open, World Open and now the World Grand Prix.
The world No.4 did appear in Saudi Arabia before Christmas — he made the semi-finals in Riyadh — but otherwise has been off UK TV screens since last autumn.
After losing 3-2 to Robert Milkins on January 9 in the Championship League, O’Sullivan “lost the plot” by snapping his cue backstage and throwing it in this BIN.
The moment of madness meant he was unable to play the Masters – a Triple Crown event – in January at Ally Pally.
O’Sullivan pal and snooker legend Jimmy White has insisted that he needs to “get his act together”.
Meanwhile, the Rocket has put his £2million home up for sale following his split from ex-fiance Laila Rouass.