Inside Ronnie O'Sullivan's health struggles as snooker icon withdraws from Masters again
Snooker icon Ronnie O'Sullivan's absence from the Masters is just the latest in his flurry of sudden withdrawals
www.mirror.co.ukRonnie O’Sullivan’s most recent widely reported news is that he withdrew from the 2026 Masters on medical grounds, marking a second straight year he missed the event. Reports also noted that he later posted on social media for the first time after the withdrawal, but the exact medical issue has not been disclosed.[1][2]
What’s been reported
- He pulled out shortly before his scheduled first-round match against Neil Robertson at Alexandra Palace.[2]
- Chris Wakelin replaced him in the draw.[2]
- Coverage in January also framed the withdrawal as part of a pattern of recent late pullouts and ongoing speculation about his future in professional snooker.[4][1]
Recent context
- His last competitive outing before the Masters was the UK Championship, where he lost in the first round to Zhou Yuelong.[2]
- Some reports said he had been preparing for the Masters in early January before the withdrawal, while others noted he had previously hinted he might skip it.[6][4]
Public status
At this point, the latest verified update is still the Masters withdrawal and the absence of a detailed medical explanation.[4][2]