Ronnie O'Sullivan, the defending champion of the Champion of Champions tournament, has announced his withdrawal from the event due to mental fatigue. The seven-time world champion cited feeling drained and stressed after returning from the International Championship in Tianjin last weekend. O'Sullivan expressed the importance of taking care of his mental health and stated that he will come back stronger.

Choosing battles and prioritizing mental health

Before the announcement, O'Sullivan spoke about the challenges of constantly traveling for tournaments and the need to prioritize his mental health. He mentioned that his doctor is always monitoring him to prevent mental exhaustion or stress. O'Sullivan emphasized the importance of carefully selecting the events he participates in to avoid burnout.

Potential disciplinary action

Behind the scenes, O'Sullivan is facing potential disciplinary action. The World Snooker Tour (WST) has referred him to the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) following disparaging comments he made in media interviews. O'Sullivan has been critical of the management of the sport and accused snooker officials of "almost" resorting to blackmail during conflicts over appearances in high-paying exhibitions in China.

As a result of O'Sullivan's withdrawal, three-time UK Champion Ding Junhui will participate in the tournament in an all-China opener.