S Poddar
Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the Welsh Open just hours before his scheduled first-round match against Jamie Clarke in Llandudno. His unexpected exit from the tournament was confirmed by the World Snooker Tour, giving Clarke a free pass to the second round.
This latest withdrawal continues a pattern for the 49-year-old, who has now pulled out of eight events since the season began in July. O’Sullivan, widely regarded as one of the greatest snooker players of all time, has yet to claim a title this season, adding to the frustration surrounding his recent performances.
The snooker legend has been largely absent from competitive play since his dramatic Championship League exit in January. During that tournament, he broke his cue and struck the table in frustration. That outburst was followed by another surprise decision to withdraw from the Masters, barely a day before his highly anticipated match against long-time rival John Higgins. Speaking about that decision, O’Sullivan admitted it was “a nightmare” and that he had “lost the plot” in the lead-up to the event.
Despite these setbacks, he has still shown glimpses of his brilliance this season. He managed to reach the semi-finals at the Xi’an Grand Prix, Shanghai Masters, and Riyadh Season Championship. However, consistency has eluded him, and fans are left wondering whether he can rediscover his best form before the major tournaments ahead.
His next scheduled appearance is at the World Open in Yushan, China, from February 23 to March 1. This event will be a crucial test for him as the snooker calendar moves toward its most significant tournaments, including the World Grand Prix, Players Championship, and Tour Championship in March. The season then culminates with the prestigious World Championship in Sheffield, starting in mid-April.
O’Sullivan remains one of the greatest names in the sport, and his presence—or, indeed, lack thereof—is always big news. Whether he can turn things around in his recent struggles to make a big push for silverware will be for another day, but fans and analysts alike will be anxiously watching when he returns to the table in China.
