Defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the Snooker Masters on medical grounds, the World Snooker Tour revealed

Record eight-times Masters champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from this year's tournament on medical grounds, organisers said on Friday. Englishman O'Sullivan, 49, had been set to face fellow great John Higgins in a blockbuster first-round clash at the 16-player invitational tournament staged at Alexandra Palace.

Former world champion Dennis Taylor says ‘you’ve got to worry for Ronnie O’Sullivan’ after his shock withdrawal from the Masters just two days before the event begins. The Rocket was set to defend the title he won last year at Alexandra Palace,

Snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the Masters at Alexandra Palace on medical grounds, bringing his quest for a record-extending ninth title to an end before it even started.

Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the upcoming Masters tournament at Alexandra Palace at short notice “on medical grounds”. O’Sullivan was the defending Masters champion after beating Ali Carter in the final last year and was due to face long-time rival John Higgins in the opening match of the tournament on Sunday afternoon but has pulled out just 48 hours beforehand.

Judd Trump believes Ronnie O'Sullivan 'won't be seen many more times' in the wake of his shock Masters withdrawal. The Rocket pulled out of the competition on Friday on 'medical grounds', days after he'd quit the Champions League.