O'Sullivan withdraws from latest tournament as doubts on snooker future grow

Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of the World Grand Prix and now faces a month wait for his return.

The Rocket has taken to the snooker table on just five occasions in 2025 - and even that was during a behind-closed doors affair during the Championship League in Leicester. It was hoped that he would make his return at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong, where he has a residence.

But O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the tournament due to medical reasons and has been replaced by Hossein Vafaei. He will take on Si Jiahui in the opening round.

Explaining his withdrawal, O’Sullivan 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.”

Following his withdrawal, the 49-year-old now faces a long wait before he can compete again. O’Sullivan did not play at any of the Shoot Out, Scottish Open, Masters, German Masters, Welsh Open, World Open and now the World Grand Prix, meaning he is ineligible to play the Players Championship in Telford and the Tour Championship in Manchester.

It means that O’Sullivan’s next appearance at the table will come at the World Championship in Sheffield. He has won that competition a record seven times during his career so far and will hope to do that once more as the tournament gets underway on Monday 7 April.

And he will also have hoped that World Snooker have listened to his request for a specialist to look out for the welfare of the sport’s stars. Speaking earlier this year, O’Sullivan said: “I think World Snooker should have somebody.

“In football, they have masseuses, people sorting out injuries. I think snooker should have someone at the tournament employed as like if someone is struggling, they’ve come off the table, ‘do you need 10 minutes with someone?’

“I’m not saying everyone will go in there but I just think a lot of players suffer in silence basically. I can tell, just look at them and they’re struggling. They should have someone to go and talk to.

“I think that’s so important. You have coaches sorting your correction out but really you need someone just to unload a bit. I think it would really help the players.”