Ronnie O’Sullivan pulls out of The Masters 48 hours before title defence

Defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from The 2025 Masters just two days before his scheduled match at Alexandra Palace.

O’Sullivan was due to begin the defence of his Masters crown with a box office battle against ‘Class of 92’ rival John Higgins in London on Sunday afternoon.

However, ‘The Rocket’ pulled out of the sport’s most prestigious invitational on Friday morning, citing ‘medical reasons’.

The news comes less than 24 hours after a frustrated O’Sullivan withdrew midway through the Championship League in Leicester.

He contested all four of his matches on Wednesday, losing three, and appeared to be having trouble with the tip on his cue.

O’Sullivan returned on Thursday and allowed his frustrations to boil over during his match with Robert Milkins, thrashing his cue against the table after missing a pink and receiving a warning from the referee, before quickly apologising.

In the deciding frame, the seven-time World Champion smashed the cue ball into the pack of reds, effectively gifting Milkins frame and match.

O’Sullivan was due to face rival Ali Carter later in the day, but opted to withdraw from the event instead, with reports suggesting he left the remains of his smashed up cue in a bin inside the venue.

O’Sullivan, who claimed a record-extending eighth Masters title at Ally Pally last year, will be absent from the tournament for the third time since 2013.

He will be replaced in the draw by two-time champion Neil Robertson – who now faces Higgins in the opening match of the event on Sunday afternoon.

O’Sullivan has now withdrawn from five events this season, and it is unclear when he will next return to competitive action.