Ronnie O’Sullivan’s return to competitive snooker has been delayed after he pulled out of the Wuhan Open.
The 48-year-old has not played since he suffered a surprise loss at the English Open to He Guoqiang.
He was scheduled to return at the British Open, but withdrew from the event due to ‘medical reasons’ just hours before his scheduled match.
O’Sullivan was also in the draw for the second edition of the Wuhan Open, but he has now pulled out citing the same reasons.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of another event
PA
He was set to face Michell Mann in the opening round on Sunday, but will now be replaced by Mark Joyce.
O’Sullivan was highly critical of his game after losing to Guoqiang in Essex last month, calling himself ‘useless’ and ’embarrassing’.
The seven-time world champion even threatened to walk away from the sport due to his perceived poor form.
“Forget about the Worlds. I’m not even bothered to be honest with you, if I’m going to play rubbish I might as well play left-handed,” he said.
“Play left-handed and enjoy it, but be useless, or play right-handed, be useless and not enjoy it.
“I haven’t got long, I’m not going to deny it, I’m not playing well enough.
“There’s no point in even worrying about it – I’ve just accepted it now, which is quite a nice place to be really.”
He added: “I’ve been missing balls for the last four or five years and every now and then I’ll miss a few less, maybe, and get a couple of results.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has threatened to retire soon from the sport
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“Even in tournaments I’ve won, people have missed mad opportunities to beat me.
“I can’t get away from it, poor, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”
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Ronnie O’Sullivan is not happy with his game
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By pulling out of the Wuhan Open, O’Sullivan misses out on a chance of winning the £140,000 prize on offer to the champion.
Judd Trump won the inaugural event last year when he defeated Ali Carter 10-7 in the final.
The world No 1 will face Antoni Kowalski in the opening round on Sunday.