RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has pulled out of a major snooker event later this month.
The seven-time world champion has delayed his return to the sport following his “embarrassing” English Open exit.
O’Sullivan has not played since his shock defeat to He Guoqiang in Brentwood last month.
He later withdrew from the British Open just hours before his opening match due to “medical reasons”.
The Rocket has now cited the same reasons after pulling out of next week’s Wuhan Open in China.
O’Sullivan had been set to face Michell Mann in their held over qualifying match when the event begins on Sunday.
He has now been replaced in the draw by Mark Joyce, who will have the chance to claim a share of the £700,000 prize pot.
World number five O’Sullivan’s absence comes after he called himself “useless” and “embarrassing” after his loss at the English Open.
The 48-year-old also hinted at retiring from snooker altogether as he reflected on his surprise exit.
He told SunSport: “I’m absolutely useless, that’s why.
“Forget about the Worlds. I’m not even bothered to be honest with you, if I’m going to play rubbish I might as well play left handed.
“Play left-handed and enjoy it, but be useless, or play right-handed, be useless and not enjoy it.
“I haven’t got long, I’m not going to deny it, I’m not playing well enough, there’s no point in even worrying about it – I’ve just accepted it now which is quite a nice place to be really.”
O’Sullivan continued: “I’m awful, it’s embarrassing. I miss so many balls.
“I’ve been missing balls for the last four or five years and every now and then I’ll miss a few less, maybe, and get a couple of results.
“Even in tournaments I’ve won people have missed mad opportunities to beat me.
“I can’t get away from it, poor, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”
World number one Judd Trump will be in action in Wuhan, though, as he defends the title he won in 2023.
The Ace in the Pack faces Antoni Kowalski for a place in the last 64 of the main draw.
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.
Check out all our latest Ronnie O’Sullivan articles.
