Ronnie O’Sullivan set for new job after pulling out of another big snooker tournament to spark health fears
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN could work as a TV pundit this week in North Wales — after pulling out of a fifth event in three months.
Just three-and-a-half hours before he was due to face Jamie Clarke in the Welsh Open first round yesterday, it was announced that the Rocket, 49, would be withdrawing.
Though the World Snooker Tour declined to explain his absence, it is understood to be for medical reasons — a decision that has angered some fans hoping to see the legend.
O’Sullivan, a four-time Welsh Open champion, has been struggling on and off the table for a while now.
Last month, he snapped his cue in half in one of his few matches of 2025 — at a behind-closed-doors Championship League event in Leicester.
Since losing in the UK Championship first round on November 23, O’Sullivan decided not to play the Shoot Out, Scottish Open, Masters, German Masters and now the Welsh Open in Llandudno.
The world No 3 did appear in Saudi Arabia before Christmas — he made the semi-finals in Riyadh — but otherwise has been off UK TV screens since last autumn.
The next time he plays is likely to be the World Open, which starts on February 23, in Yushan, China.
The seven-time world champ works on snooker events for Discovery+ and could form part of their televised coverage this weekend as players chase the Ray Reardon Trophy.
The same situation happened when he withdrew from the Masters at Ally Pally last month and then went into the studio a few days later.
Discussions are ongoing about a possible appearance but no decision has been made yet.
Clarke, 30, has received a bye into the last 32 and this will boost his position on the world rankings list.
Snooker star Dominic Dale, who retired at the end of the season, said: “I’m a little bit surprised. If Ronnie withdraws from an event, it’s normally a couple of days before an event begins.
“To pull out on the eve of this match, I was a bit surprised, particularly as the world championship is coming round the corner in a couple of months.
“It would have been good practice for Ronnie. He broke his cue a month ago. Maybe he has cue issues as well.”
Clarke, the world No 65, said: “Yeah, I was relishing playing him (O’Sullivan).
“There was 20 per cent a little bit disappointment when I got the phonecall this morning.
“Because he’s coming towards the end of his career. You don’t get many chances to play Ronnie.
“He picks and chooses his events and rightly so. I was probably more happy than not happy, but it would have been nice to play him.”
Inside Ronnie's colourful career
FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.
The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it.
O’Sullivan has three children – two daughters and a son.
And the Rocket’s on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has also hit the headlines.
He has opened up on battles with his weight and addiction.
While the controversial cueist reckons he wasted NINE YEARS of his career by partying too hard.
Despite being worth £14million, O’Sullivan is renowned for his love of canal boats and snubbing flashy cars.
His rivalry with fellow star Judd Trump has been branded ‘snooker’s greatest feud’.
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their infamous ‘Snotgate’ row.
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