Snooker fans were left disappointed as Ronnie O’Sullivan made a last-minute withdrawal from the Welsh Open, sparking accusations of disrespect towards those who had travelled to see him in action. The five-time world champion pulled out of his first-round match against Jamie Clarke, leaving supporters who had journeyed to Llandudno feeling let down. Many fans had made significant efforts to reach Venue Cymru for the highly anticipated event, only to find out that O’Sullivan would not be competing.
One fan, Daniel Rees, shared his experience of a six-hour round trip from Cardiff, including an overnight stay in Chester, all in the hopes of witnessing O’Sullivan return to the baize. However, his efforts were in vain as the snooker star withdrew from the tournament at the last minute. Rees expressed his disappointment, highlighting the lack of respect shown towards the fans who had invested time and resources to support O’Sullivan.
Fans from as far as Canada had also made the journey to witness O’Sullivan’s comeback, only to be met with the news of his withdrawal. The World Snooker Tour (WST) revealed that O’Sullivan’s decision to pull out of the competition was communicated on the morning of the match. Clarke, who was set to face O’Sullivan, received a bye to the last 32 as a result of the withdrawal.
O’Sullivan’s selective approach to competitions has been noted, with his absence from recent tournaments such as the Masters, German Masters, and an exhibition in Finland. In a candid interview with Eurosport, O’Sullivan opened up about his struggles, citing exhaustion and pressure as factors contributing to his decision to withdraw from the Welsh Open and previous events.
The snooker star is scheduled to play Stuart Carrington on 23rd February at the World Open in Yushan, China, following his recent series of withdrawals. Fans and supporters have taken to social media to express their disappointment and frustration over O’Sullivan’s late exit from the Welsh Open, questioning the timing of the announcement and its impact on ticket sales.
Despite the backlash, O’Sullivan remains a prominent figure in the world of snooker, with his future appearances generating significant interest among fans and followers of the sport. As the Welsh Open progresses without O’Sullivan’s participation, attention now turns to upcoming events where the snooker legend is expected to make his presence felt once again.