Exclusive: Doherty Left “Deeply Disappointed” at O’Sullivan’s Shock Masters Withdrawal

Snooker great Ken Doherty is “deeply disappointed” about defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan’s shock late withdrawal from this year’s Masters.

The Rocket stunned his army of loyal fans by announcing pulling out of this year’s prestigious invitational event at London’s Alexandra Palace on Friday morning.

The record eight-time Masters champion was due to being his title-defence against long-time arch-rival John Higgins on Sunday at 1pm in North London, but withdrew on medial grounds.

He has now been placed by Aussie Neil Robertson, the world No 17, who is next in line to play in the elite top-16 only tournament which offers a £350,000 prize to the winner.

“It’s terrible news,” said Doherty. “Ronnie’s pulled out of tournaments before, but I don’t think anyone expected him to pull out of the Masters."

“It’s a tournament he loves and one which he’s won eight times."

“And particularly to be playing John Higgins in his very first very first match, I’m just shocked because that would have been such a great occasion."

“Everyone was really looking forward to that match, so they’ll be a lot of disappointed fans."

“I’m very, very surprised, but I know he’s said his mental health is more important, so if he feels as if he can’t play, then only he knows what’s best for him."

“He knows his mind best, so I’m not going to judge him on that. But it will be so disappointing for all the fans – and the commentators like me – who were all looking forward to his match with John so much."

“At the end of the day we’re all great fans of his when he’s playing, that spectacle of a first round match against John Higgins, well it would have been an absolute classic."

“I’m disappointed he’s not playing and I’m sure everyone associated with snooker, and who loves snooker, will be disappointed."

“It’s 50 years of the Masters this year, so it’s sad because he’s been a big part of the Masters history,” reflected former world champion and two-time Masters runner-up Doherty.

“It’s one of the tournaments that he loves, like the World Championship and the UK Championship. The Masters is one of the big ones."

“I remember when Ronnie and John played in that iconic final all those years ago, it was one of the great finals."

“It’s such a shame he’s not going to be playing, but I saw he smashed his cue at the Championship League, so something if obviously not right."

“It must be pretty bad for him to pull out of an event like this."

“I know he picks and chooses his tournaments, but to pull out of the Masters, well he must be feeling pretty bad.”

REPLACEMENT RONNIE

A statement from WST, the sport’s governing body, said: “Neil Robertson has replaced Ronnie O'Sullivan in the draw for the upcoming Johnstone's Paint Masters.

Last year's champion O'Sullivan was due to face John Higgins in the opening match on Sunday afternoon, but has withdrawn on medical grounds. 

Higgins will now face Robertson, who was ranked in 17th position at the seeding cutoff after the Victorian Plumbing UK Championship.

The Johnstone's Paint Masters runs from January 12th to 19th.