October 21st 2024.
Many fans were disappointed to hear that 'The Rocket', Ronnie O'Sullivan, has now withdrawn from his third consecutive snooker tournament. O'Sullivan's fellow players, Shaun Murphy and Kyren Wilson, have both come to his defense, supporting his decision to pull out of events due to medical reasons.
O'Sullivan's withdrawal from the Northern Ireland Open was announced by the World Snooker Tour on the first day of the event. He was set to face Long Zehuang in his opening match, but unfortunately had to withdraw. This comes after he also missed the British Open and Wuhan Open in recent weeks. The last time O'Sullivan played was at the English Open in September, where he was knocked out in the first round after a surprising loss to He Guoqiang. O'Sullivan himself described his performance that day as "useless" and "embarrassing."
The 48-year-old has previously hinted that he may have a limited schedule for the rest of the year, so his withdrawal from the Northern Ireland Open may not have come as a surprise to some. However, with the exact reasons for his absence not disclosed, Murphy has suggested that fans should respect O'Sullivan's personal decisions when it comes to playing or not. He stated that as players, they are under no obligation to play and that no one should be scrutinizing O'Sullivan's medical excuse. He also added that if O'Sullivan is unwell and unable to play, then everyone should simply wish him well.
Murphy expressed empathy for the fans who may be disappointed by O'Sullivan's absence, but also pointed out that as athletes, they perform under certain circumstances. He believes that none of them truly know what is going on in someone else's life, and therefore, it's best to mind their own business.
Reigning world champion, Kyren Wilson, also shared a sympathetic view towards O'Sullivan's decision to withdraw. He believes that players must put themselves first and prioritize their own well-being. Wilson also acknowledged the pressure that O'Sullivan faces as a sporting icon and understands if he may not be as hungry for success as younger players like himself.
Wilson added that they should all enjoy O'Sullivan's presence while he is still playing, as there is no one quite like him. O'Sullivan's next scheduled tournament is the International Championship in China, which is set to begin on 3 November.
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