Jimmy White was as surprised as anyone at Ronnie O'Sullivan's Masters withdrawal
Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter
13:42, 15 Jan 2026
Jimmy White was certain Ronnie O'Sullivan would be taking part in the Masters before the snooker legend pulled out of the competition.
The 50-year-old, holder of a record eight Masters crowns, had been due to take on former world champion Neil Robertson in the opening round at Alexandra Palace.
Yet the Rocket withdrew mere days before the tournament was due to begin, citing medical grounds for his absence. World No. 14 Chris Wakelin stepped in to replace O'Sullivan but suffered a 6-2 defeat to the Australian.
A short statement from WST regarding his withdrawal said: "Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the Johnstone's Paint Masters for medical reasons. O'Sullivan was due to face Neil Robertson in the opening round on Wednesday, January 14th at 7pm. He has been replaced in the draw by Chris Wakelin, who was 17th seed at the cut-off point."
Speaking about O'Sullivan's build-up to the Masters, White disclosed that he'd been informed the seven-time world champion had been putting in practice sessions ahead of the tournament, making news of his withdrawal completely unexpected.
Speaking from the TNT Sports studio at Alexandra Palace, the 62-year-old said: "I know he has been practising, and I heard he was in Ireland playing with Aaron Hill and Jordan Brown, so his preparation was good for this event.
"We all thought he was going to play in the event." The World Snooker Championship is set for April, following a series of tournaments including the German Masters, World Grand Prix, Players Championship, Welsh Open, World Open and Tour Championship.
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White has voiced concerns that O'Sullivan's absence from the game could jeopardise his bid for an unprecedented eighth title. "The more this goes on without match practice, going into trying to beat Stephen Hendry's record of winning eight world titles, which is coming up in three months' time, it is not a lot of match practice for sharpness," he further explained.
"It would just be nice to see him play, he is wonderful to watch." White wasn't the only one taken aback by O'Sullivan's decision to pull out, with world No. 10 Mark Allen expressing surprise after his first-round win over Mark Williams, revealing that he had practised with O'Sullivan ahead of the Masters.
Speaking to TNT Sports, the Northern Irishman admitted: "I was very surprised. I was practising with him just before the UK [Championship] and what he was saying, he was leaning towards playing here. I hope that whatever has gone on he is okay because the game is better with him in it."