Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of the Championship League after playing four of his six group stage matches on Wednesday. The Rocket was due to return for his final two games on Thursday but tournament organisers have confirmed that he will be playing no further part in the event.
O’Sullivan played in Group Seven of the Championship League on Wednesday, beating Sam Craigie and Elliot Slessor in his first two matches by the same 3-2 scoreline. He went on to lose his next two games to Jak Jones and Joe O’Connor, who won 3-0 and 3-2 respectively.
The 48-year-old was expected to return for the end of his group campaign on Thursday to face Jordan Brown and Pang Junxu. However, it has been revealed that he has withdrawn from the tournament, with organisers confirming the news on X, formerly Twitter.
The event’s official account posted: “Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from Group Seven at BetVictor Championship League Snooker. The group will now proceed as a six-player group that concludes tomorrow.”
O’Sullivan is yet to give a reason for pulling out of the Championship League but has made a habit of withdrawing from events as of late. Earlier this month, he confirmed that he would not be taking part in the Welsh Open, citing issues with anxiety and stage fright.
Posting on X, he wrote: “Morning guys, I wanted to let you know that I’ve decided I’m not able to play in Llandudno next week. It’s hard to explain but for years I’ve suffered from stage fright at times, brought on by anxiety.
“It’s not something I can predict or control but I try to manage it as best as I can. I’m sorry to everyone who’s bought tickets but I just can’t get my cue out when I feel like this and I think this is what’s best for me right now.”
O’Sullivan recently warned that he would be pulling out of more tournaments in the future due to ‘all the travelling’, with the Rocket prioritising events in Asia over those in the UK. His next outing will come at the inaugural Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker in Saudi Arabia, which is set to begin on Monday and includes a prize pot of more than £2million.
Speaking to the BBC earlier this week, O’Sullivan said: “It’s kind of first-come-first-served with tournaments and promoters. If they definitely want me in the event, then they have to approach me and seal that deal. There’s only so many tournaments I can play in, and the Far East and Asia is where all the big events are. I get looked after out there.
“If I was to play them and not do so well then I’d maybe do a few more UK events, but with all the travelling, it’s hard for me to do everything. I need to have a bit more of a breather, especially as I’m getting nearer 50.”
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