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World No. 1 Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from the German Masters scheduled for next week.
O’Sullivan will not compete in the Berlin event in order to prioritize his “health and wellbeing.” This season, he has already won the Masters, UK Championship, and World Grand Prix.
The 48-year-old said on X: “I would like to inform my German fans that I will be missing the German Masters next week due to regretful decisions.
“I adore the occasion and the German fans, but my health and well-being must come first.
“I hope you understand that despite how it may look with the tournament wins, it’s been a demanding and demanding season for me thus far.
“I hope to see you all soon and I apologize for not being able to attend.”
O’Sullivan just made it through his Barnsley World Open qualifier against Alfie Burden earlier this week, but he managed to secure his spot in the championship round.
Midway through the fourth frame, with Burden leading by 61, the seven-time world champion, who has been granted special permission by World Snooker to wear trainers because of a foot injury, started them off.
After Burden leveled the score at 3-3, O’Sullivan decided to postpone the start of the fifth session a little while he fixed his shoes. Breaks of 83 and 58 eventually sealed a 5-3 victory.