Ronnie O’Sullivan pulls out of World Grand Prix for psychological well being causes… which means the seven-time world champion won’t play for almost two months

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of another snooker tournament just days before the start, again citing health reasons.

The Rocket was set to play China’s Si Jiahui at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong on Wednesday, but his place will now go to Iran’s Hossein Vafaei.

O’Sullivan, 49, said: ‘I had been eager to make my comeback in Hong Kong and have put in my utmost effort, but unfortunately must consider my health.’

It is the fourth event that O’Sullivan has withdrawn from this season, while he also threw in the towel midway through the Championship League.

He apologised each time, insisting he wanted to prioritise his mental health.

John Higgins defied his own self-doubts to win a first title in four years with a 10-6 triumph over Joe O’Connor in the final of the World Open.

Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong, which begins next week

The seven-time champion will not play until the World Snooker Championship in late April

The Scot established a 6-2 lead in Yushan, China, before easing to the 32nd ranking tournament success of his career.

‘I didn’t know if I was going to win another event because I have taken so many devastating losses over the last three or four years,’ he said. ‘To come back and win this is a proud moment.’

O’Sullivan’s next snooker match will be at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield in seven weeks’ time.

He has only played five times in 2025, but these matches were in the behind-closed-doors Championship League in Leicester.

His spot at the World Grand Prix will be taken up by Iranian Hossein Vafaei, who opens their account in the tournament against Si Jiahui on Wednesday.