RONNIE O’SULLIVAN HAS announced his withdrawal from next week’s Welsh Open in Llandudno due to anxiety.
The world number one has had a productive season so far with victories at the UK Championship, the Masters and the World Grand Prix.
But his success has been increasingly underpinned by health concerns that have seen him withdraw from a series of lesser ranking events.
— Ronnie O'Sullivan (@ronnieo147) February 10, 2024
O’Sullivan wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Morning guys, I wanted to let you know that I’ve decided I’m not able to play in Llandudno next week.
“It’s hard to explain but for years I’ve suffered from stage fright at times, brought on by anxiety. It’s not something I can predict or control but I try to manage it as best as I can.
“I’m sorry to everyone who’s bought tickets but I just can’t get my cue out when I feel like this and I think this is what’s best for me right now.
“I still want to be around the tournament so I’ll be doing some work with Eurosport and I hope to see you all there.”
The Welsh Open is the seventh ranking tournament in which O’Sullivan has elected not to play this season, along with the Champion of Champions event in Bolton in November.
After withdrawing from the German Masters in January, O’Sullivan stressed the need to focus on his “health and wellbeing” despite his continued success on the table.
He has been investigated by his sport’s governing body over comments he made about unsanctioned exhibition matches, and also over an expletive-laden rant at rival Ali Carter following his Masters final win in January, in which he described Carter as “a f****** nightmare”.
Lovely
Absolutely brilliant….
Some achievement! Is there a chance team GB could be make an approach? Not too up to scratch on international allegiance on the athletics front.
@Fran Duggan: well i guess they could but lets see. Shes ours for now anyway
@Fran Duggan: Yep, living in England and competing for a British club. However, it’s usually the athlete who chooses to switch (access to potentially better coaching, funding, etc) rather than an association approaching an athlete.
Stay Irish girl,in case those Brits try to entice you to represent them
Absolutely fantastic the whole country is so proud take a bow girl
For all this pushing of the “Dundalk Girl” she lists her own hometown as Birmingham on twitter.
@China Photo Daily: couldn’t blame her,must be the town accent
@billy Dorney: in fairness when it comes to accents Birmingham is the Dundalk of England.
@China Photo Daily: she happens to live there…..
@China Photo Daily: I’m living in Sydney the last 8 years along with thousands of other Irish people. Are we less Irish now?
@Ger: vvv good
Absolutely amazing stuff, congratulations its people like you that put Irish Athletics on the map and considering the lack of funds, facilities and the amount of people involved at the top end of Athletics in Ireland that shouldn’t be allowed to attend an U5 Relay, this is a fecking miracle……Brilliant…..Congratulations and Proud to be Irish