Jimmy White Warns Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Absence May Jeopardize World Championship Record
Jimmy White has expressed concerns regarding Ronnie O’Sullivan’s recent withdrawals from competitive snooker events, particularly its potential impact on the latter’s chances of claiming a record eighth World Championship title. O’Sullivan, known as the “Rocket,” withdrew from the Masters tournament, which was scheduled to take place soon at Alexandra Palace, citing medical reasons.
O’Sullivan Withdraws from Masters
O’Sullivan was set to compete against Neil Robertson in the first round on January 14th at 7 PM. Following his withdrawal, Chris Wakelin, currently ranked 14th in the world, replaced him in the draw. The World Snooker Tour (WST) confirmed his absence in an official statement, noting that O’Sullivan had withdrawn for medical reasons.
Surprise from Competitors
The announcement surprised several players, including world No. 10 Mark Allen. Allen remarked that he had recently been practicing with O’Sullivan and had expected him to participate in the Masters. He expressed his hopes for O’Sullivan’s well-being, stating that snooker is better with him competing.
Recent Performance and Future Matches
O’Sullivan’s most recent competitive match occurred at the UK Championship in York, where he was eliminated in the first round by Zhou Yuelong. His withdrawal from the Masters adds to a growing list of absentees, including the Wuhan Open, English Open, and British Open this season.
The upcoming schedule includes critical events such as the German Masters, World Grand Prix, and Tour Championship ahead of the World Championship at Sheffield, slated for late April. White believes that a lack of match practice could significantly diminish O’Sullivan’s performance as he vies for his eighth title, a record currently tied with Stephen Hendry.
Impact of Absences on Championship Prospects
White noted that while O’Sullivan has been practicing, the limited competitive experience could hamper his sharpness for the World Championship. He emphasized the importance of match play, stating, “The more this goes on without match practice, trying to beat Stephen Hendry’s record… it is not a lot of match practice for sharpness.”
O’Sullivan last won the World Championship in 2022. Both he and Hendry hold the modern era record with seven titles each, with Hendry’s last victory being in 1999. As the season progresses, snooker fans remain hopeful for O’Sullivan’s return to the table, recognizing his captivating style of play.
