Ronnie O’Sullivan’s absence from snooker could harm chances of claiming World Championship record – Jimmy White
‘I need to really pace myself’ – Trump managing schedule to prolong career
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jimmy White feels Ronnie O’Sullivan’s continued absence from competitive snooker could harm his chances of securing a record eighth World Championship.O’Sullivan withdrew from the Masters a little under a week before he was due to take on Neil Robertson in the first round at Alexandra Palace on medical grounds.
Chris Wakelin, who was outside the top 16 at the cut-off point but is now ranked 14 in the world, replaced O’Sullivan in the draw.
A brief statement from WST read: “Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the Johnstone’s Paint Masters for medical reasons. O’Sullivan was due to face Neil Robertson in the opening round on Wednesday, January 14th at 7pm.
“He has been replaced in the draw by Chris Wakelin, who was 17th seed at the cut-off point.”
O’Sullivan’s absence from the second Triple Crown event of the season surprised world No. 10 Mark Allen, who told TNT Sports after his win over Mark Williams that he had been practising with the ‘Rocket’ at the end of last year.
“I was very surprised,” Allen told TNT Sports about when he was made aware of O’Sullivan’s absence from the Masters.
“I was practising with him just before the UK [Championship] and what he was saying, he was leaning towards playing here.
“I hope that whatever has gone on he is okay because the game is better with him in it.”
‘Big stepping stone in my career’ – Whirlwind looks back on 40th anniversary of first ranking title
Video credit: TNT Sports
O’Sullivan’s latest competitive appearance came at the UK Championship in York, where he crashed out in the first round to Zhou Yuelong.
His withdrawal from the Masters added to his absences from the Wuhan Open, English Open, British Open, Northern Ireland Open, Shoot Out and Scottish Open in the 2025/26 campaign.
The German Masters, World Grand Prix, Players Championship, Welsh Open, World Open and Tour Championship all take place before the World Championship gets underway in Sheffield at the end of April, and White is concerned a lack of match sharpness could hurt O’Sullivan’s bid for an eighth world title.
“I know he has been practising, and I heard he was in Ireland playing with Aaron Hill and Jordan Brown, so his preparation was good for this event,” White said in the TNT Sports studio at Alexandra Palace. “We all thought he was going to play in the event.
“The more this goes on without match practise, going into trying to beat Stephen Hendry’s record of winning eight world titles which is coming up in three months’ time, it is not a lot of match practice for sharpness.
“It would just be nice to see him play, he is wonderful to watch.”
‘So, so difficult’ – Trump sinks sublime pot to right middle
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hendry and O’Sullivan share the record for World Championship wins in the modern era with seven.
O’Sullivan last lifted the title at the Crucible in 2022. Hendry picked up his seventh world crown in 1999.
– – –
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Masters, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
