Ronnie O’Sullivan has defiantly vowed to come back stronger following his withdrawal from the Masters.
‘The Rocket’, 49, pulled out of the tournament last week, just days before he was set to face John Higgins in the opening match at Alexandra Palace on Sunday (January 12). He did so on medical grounds.
The decision came after his outburst at snooker‘s Championship League, where he whacked his cue on the table during a 3-2 defeat to Robert Milkins. He withdrew from his final group game in Leicester too.
O’Sullivan has been visibly frustrated with his game in recent months and has repeatedly flirted with the idea of retiring from the sport. But his private message to rock and roll legend Ronnie Wood suggests there’s fight left him in yet.
Wood, 77, appeared on Eurosport’s coverage at the weekend and revealed what his friend had told him. He explained: “I texted Ronnie and said, ‘sorry about your cue, mate’. He said, ‘don’t worry, I’ll be back, I’m just a bit tired at the moment’.”
That update will come as a reassurance to his fans, as will the comments made by Jimmy White at the start of the show. “It’s a little bit disappointing for everyone but he’s such a perfectionist,” White began.
“I spoke to him yesterday. He’s fine. He’s got a few things to sort out. He always wants to give 100 per cent. Hopefully he’ll be coming in the studio and be explaining a bit more in detail.
“But he’s fine. He just likes to perform at his best and he just thinks a few things aren’t right. We’ll have to wait and see and speak to him.”
O’Sullivan was set to defend his title over the course of this week with the chance to claim a record-extending ninth Masters crown. The world number three was replaced in the competition, which features the top 16 seeds, by Neil Robertson.
Robertson produced a stunning comeback from 5-1 down to defeat Higgins 6-5. In Sunday’s other tie, Shaun Murphy saw off Gary Wilson with a 6-3 victory.
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