The snooker world has been left stunned after seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew from the 2025 British Open, with reasons still cloaked in mystery.
The news was confirmed by the World Snooker Tour (WST), who released a short but pointed statement: “Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of next week’s Unibet British Open for medical reasons.” Beyond that, no further explanation was given, leaving fans, pundits, and fellow players all asking the same question: what’s really going on with the Rocket?
The British Open, staged at Cheltenham Racecourse from September 22–28, 2025, is one of snooker’s most unique and unpredictable ranking events. Nicknamed the “FA Cup of Snooker” because of its open draw system, the tournament guarantees drama as top seeds can meet in any round.
The prize fund is significant:
Winner: £100,000
Runner-up: £45,000
Semi-finalists: £20,000
Quarter-finalists: £12,000
Last 16: £9,000
Last 32: £6,000
Last 64: £3,000
Highest break: £5,000
Originally, O’Sullivan was scheduled to play Sanderson Lam in the opening round on Monday, September 22 at 7:00 pm. His withdrawal opened a rare door for Daniel Womersley, the highest-ranked available player from the 2025 Q School list, to step in. For Womersley, it’s a dream opportunity. For fans who had hoped to see Ronnie live, it’s a bitter disappointment.
This isn’t the first high-profile event O’Sullivan has skipped this season. Since his epic final at the Saudi Arabia Masters on August 16, where he lost 10–9 to Neil Robertson, he has now missed:
The Wuhan Open
The English Open (played just miles from where he grew up in Brentwood)
And now, the British Open
Earlier in the year, he also sat out both the German Masters and the Welsh Open. That’s five major absences in less than a year—a worrying trend.
What confuses fans most is the contrast between the official narrative and O’Sullivan’s own public image. Just one day before WST confirmed his withdrawal, Ronnie posted a video of himself grinding through an intense gym workout on Instagram.
His caption read: “Exercise is so important to me, not just for the body, but for my mindset too.”
On one hand, WST says he’s unfit to play for “medical reasons.” On the other, Ronnie himself shows he’s strong, mobile, and training hard. This contradiction has fueled speculation—are his issues purely physical, or is there something deeper at play in terms of mental health and long-term well-being?
After relocating to Dubai, O’Sullivan’s season began at the Shanghai Masters in July. He beat Barry Hawkins 6–5 but lost in the quarter-finals to Kyren Wilson 6–3.
But his run in Saudi Arabia was historic. O’Sullivan whitewashed Joe O’Connor 5–0, then pulled off deciding-frame comebacks against Chang Bingyu and Kyren Wilson. His semi-final against Chris Wakelin made history: Ronnie compiled two maximum 147 breaks in the same match—the first time this has ever happened in professional snooker.
Although he lost the final 10–9 to Neil Robertson after leading 9–8, O’Sullivan still banked £200,000 plus £180,000 in 147 bonuses. Even in defeat, he called it a success, saying:
“Neil deserved to win. He was the better player. I just tried to hang on and make a game of it. At 7–2 down I’d have been happy just to win a couple of frames. I was pleased with my performance.”
The British Open carries special weight in O’Sullivan’s career. His second ever ranking title came at the 1994 British Open, when he defeated James Wattana in the final, just months after his maiden triumph at the 1993 UK Championship.
Since its revival in 2021, Ronnie has only appeared once, in 2022, where he lost in the opening round to Alexander Ursenbacher. His absence this year means he’s played the event just once in five years—quite a contrast to his early career dominance.
Back in February 2025, O’Sullivan admitted:
“I’ve been trying to prioritize my health and well-being, which sometimes means making last-minute decisions not to play. It’s never easy. I know fans who bought tickets are disappointed when I pull out, and I’m sorry for that. I’m doing what I can to get back to my best.”
Those words now resonate more strongly than ever. For the second time in a month, he has withdrawn for “medical reasons,” but the details remain undisclosed.
Despite missing events, O’Sullivan’s ranking is secure. His Saudi Arabia earnings alone virtually guarantee qualification for the World Grand Prix, the Players Championship, and put him close to the Tour Championship. These three events are based on the one-year list, not world ranking points, giving him breathing room.
His next likely appearance will be at the Xiamen Grand Prix in China on October 7, followed by the International Championship. Both events are crucial if Ronnie is to qualify for the Champion of Champions invitational in November.
For now, fans can only speculate. O’Sullivan’s withdrawal from Cheltenham leaves a glaring hole in the British Open. Is it physical fatigue? A mental break? Or simply the Rocket pacing himself in the twilight of his career?
Until Ronnie speaks directly, the mystery will remain. What is certain is that snooker without O’Sullivan feels incomplete—and the countdown to his next appearance has already begun.
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