TSB - Ronnie O’Sullivan withdraws stating medical reasons

[ferret]

Well he has done it again, another event in Europe that he has entered and then withdrawn from, this makes it what the 5th, 6th, 7th …… I don’t know, I have lost count to be honest. He has told World Snooker officials that it is because of medic reasons and if this is true ... Continue Reading (http://www.thesnookerblog.com/2011/02/ronnie-osullivan-withdraws-stating-medical-reasons/)http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheSnookerBlog/~4/GROz_p6Ppb4

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[Monique]

I would wait for confirmation of the reasons before drawing any conclusions and if it is for personal reasons and not "strong" enough ones there will be disciplinary action, I don't doubt it.
Now this venue show 5 matches at the same time in an open setup, Mark Allen and Mark Selby playing at the same moment. So I don't think German snooker fans will have nothing interesting to watch, neither do I think they all booked solely to see Ronnie play.
After all this hardly comes up as a surprise, isn't it?

[ferret]

Jumping to conclusions! this is now the 13th event he has withdrawn from, the last professional event off of UK soil that he attended was nearly a year ago.

World Snooker have told me Medical reason but I have been told by a close contact of Ronnie's that it is for other reasons which I am not going to put on the forum.

[Monique]

Ferret, when Ronnie withdrew from EPTC1 the first info to be circulated was "for medical reasons ... back injury". That was later changed to personal reason.
That's all I had in mind and I would wait until the official reason is published before elaborating.

[João]

What official reason? He will just make something up as always.

If German Masters was called SUPER-HYPER-MEGA-POWER-SHOTCLOCK-SNOOKER he would be there for sure.

They should just give his top 16 place to someone who actually deserves and wants to play snooker.

[ADR147]

What official reason? He will just make something up as always.

If German Masters was called SUPER-HYPER-MEGA-POWER-SHOTCLOCK-SNOOKER he would be there for sure.

They should just give his top 16 place to someone who actually deserves and wants to play snooker.

they won't need to give it he will lose it.

[Rafonc]

Yeah, its hardly surprising these days to see Ronnie pulling out of events.
The question is, will he attend the China Open? Last year he made the trip to make tricks in his first and only match, so we`ll see.

Top 16 place to someone else? He has already slipped down to 9th, and now once again out of a tournament, it shouldn`t be too long when his Top 16 place gets in danger if he keeps this up, we`ll see what happens.

[the montrealer]

hI To bad for snooker in general as Osullivan is the main draw it seems that when Osullivan withdraws from Tournaments its not the same as when he is in them. He must have other reasons personal reasons for not showing up cheers Leonard from Canada

[Rane]

This is totally rediculous but not unexpected. Three days ago he was in full fire:confused:

I would never buy a ticket for a match outside UK and actually expect him to show up.

[ferret]

3 days ago!!! he beat Jimmy White just last night in a legends event - http://www.thesnookerblog.com/2011/02/legends-thrill-blackburn-crowds/

[Rane]

hI To bad for snooker in general as Osullivan is the main draw it seems that when Osullivan withdraws from Tournaments its not the same as when he is in them. He must have other reasons personal reasons for not showing up cheers Leonard from Canada

I can´t argue against him as the main draw, but in my humble opinion World Snooker and tournaments organisers should stop using him for promotion, most of the time the promotion unfortunately is bad. It was better just letting him show up as an unexpected surprise.

[tornado taylor]

Typical of the man. As a player he is awesome but as a bloke I cant stand him. When you think of all the players that would love to be there and he just cant be bothered. If it was the world championship he'd be there no problem.

[ore]

I can´t argue against him as the main draw, but in my humble opinion World Snooker and tournaments organisers should stop using him for promotion, most of the time the promotion unfortunately is bad. It was better just letting him show up as an unexpected surprise.

So well put.

Seriously, he could issue a statement, at the start of the season, about where he's not going to participate. Would be kinda more clear and 'fair' for those buying tickets, for those planning some evenings with snooker tournament watching, for event organisers/advertisers, bookies and those who bet, no?

:rolleyes:

[jamesa54321]

It's not just outside the UK, it happened at EPTC 5 at South West Snooker Academy in Gloucester this year. I might be wrong but I don't even think he had the courtesy to let the organisers know/withdraw, he just didn't turn up, leaving a lot of snooker fans upset.

This on the back of the black in the 147 incident, he just doesn't give a **** about the fans or the game, he's just bothered about the money and himself.

[pottingpinks]

He's continually letting down the sport imo, OK he's great to watch when on song but is not really doing his bit to promote the game at a time when we've just had a great promotional weekend at Blackpool and he goes and puts a dampener on it straight away.

Surely he could put aside any minor ailment and just get on with it at this important juncture, but no its the usual cant be ****ed attitude.

More chance of finding life on Mars than Ronnie in Brazil later in the year.

[the legend]

The mans a fruitloop who has made his money and couldnt give a toss about the sport.Unfortunatly snooker is filled and its nothing new with utter dimwits who havnt a brain cell between them.

[ken147]

The attitude of ROS stinks a lot of time. He thinks snooker needs him more than he needs snooker. A man too big for his shoes.

[prouknow]

The attitude of ROS stinks a lot of time. He thinks snooker needs him more than he needs snooker. A man too big for his shoes.

But snooker does need Ronnie!

You all wanting ronnie to leave the game, the day that happens is the day the sport begins it's death.

Sad but true :(

[the montrealer]

But snooker does need Ronnie!

You all wanting ronnie to leave the game, the day that happens is the day the sport begins it's death.

Sad but true :(


HI Prouknov I agree with you 100 per cent without him snooker is dead we need people like Ronnie Alex Higgins to keep the game running. Ronnie once said there is not only Snooker in his life other things that he can do. When Ronnie is sound nobody can play like him he is a genius however he has other problems outside of the game. I hope that he can handle his problems.

[Looki]

Good news for Dominic, though. Got a free ride to last 16. Maybe he'll go on to win his third title. ;) What comes to Ronnie's absence, I couldn't care less. There are a lot of great players to watch. But of course it's sad for the audience and for the new tournament, I know for a lot of not-that-into-snooker -snooker fans the game equals Ronnie and bunch of what-was-his-name players (which is also sad)...

[cueman]

i used to remember one time when his fanboys used to blame these bouts on his illness and being bipolar. Now I think even they have run out of lame excuses. I have a friend who is bipolar but it doesn't stop them from fulfilling their responsiblities, life goes on. Ronnie is just a spoilt brat who's always been able to do what he likes without any punishment or repercussion, time for Hearn to take the hard line stance with him and ban him like he did Higgins. Then we'll see how much the game means to him or not!

[Mignon]

Now I think even they have run out of lame excuses.
Not so sure about that.... :p
But people seem to talk less and less about stunts and antics. Years ago there would have been at least 10 pages to this thread by now....:D

[ore]

What comes to Ronnie's absence, I couldn't care less. There are a lot of great players to watch.

Happy MJW is meeting Dale not Ronnie? :p


a lot of not-that-into-snooker -snooker fans the game equals Ronnie and bunch of what-was-his-name players

That must be why they still keep on putting him in the center of the posters even with all the probability he's not going to turn up...

Not sure if it's that a good "long-term" strategy, ok people will come/switch on and maybe will get hooked up on some other player/match/snooker in general, but they will surely feel cheated too.

[Looki]

Happy MJW is meeting Dale not Ronnie? :p



That must be why they still keep on putting him in the center of the posters even with all the probability he's not going to turn up...

Not sure if it's that a good "long-term" strategy, ok people will come/switch on and maybe will get hooked up on some other player/match/snooker in general, but they will surely feel cheated too.

Actually, I would've liked to see another O'Sullivan v Williams encounter. And Mark still has to make through the first round so let's see but I fancy Mark's chances to go deep in this tournament. ;)

[montoya10]

Actually, I would've liked to see another O'Sullivan v Williams encounter. And Mark still has to make through the first round so let's see but I fancy Mark's chances to go deep in this tournament. ;)

I was hoping for the same, too :(

But probably, Ronnie would edge out Mark again, it seems like he just doesn't want to lose a single match to him ;)

[Raldon]

its getting boring to discuss Ronnies withdrawal.

[steedee]

I understand its upsetting for the fans, but whether its a geniune reason or not he will recieve 0 ranking points so its his own career he's hurting. he seems pretty sure he's going to drop down the rankings if his interview last sunday is anything to go by. if he ends up in the qualifiers i wouldnt expect to see him again to be honest.

at least then all this nonesense will stop and everyone else can get on with it.

[ore]

I was hoping for the same, too :(

But probably, Ronnie would edge out Mark again, it seems like he just doesn't want to lose a single match to him ;)

Unless you would count such cases as conceding...

[sharkster63]

Good Day,

I am not familiar with professional snooker, (contracts, managers responsabilities, players responsabilities etc...) but I do think that the players should not be treated like horses in a stable or school children that have behaved badly, they are all adult humans with lives and capable of making decisions, I don't think I could respect a player that puts the game ahead of allot of things that I think should have priority, only the player can set these personal priorities. If he is breaking is contract or commitment then it should be understood by all of the reprecussions and that should be the end of the discussion. I can understand the dissapointment from organizers but the show must go on.
Cheers,

[ore]

its getting boring to discuss Ronnies withdrawal.

True.
Yet somehow that's a more active thread than the one on R1 of the actual tournament...

[beechy1212]

Snooker did need Ronnie up until this year but now that it seems there is a growing interest in the game again, i'm not sure the game does need him. It seems the interest in him is waining somewhat. People getting fed up with his attitude when he does turn up. Ronnie has been knocked out a few times in the first rounds and that hasn't affected the competition.

At the end of the day, if this was someone like Mark Allen, Murphy, Maguire or King doing this, people wouldn't be half as sympathetic.

That said, if there is a proper genuine reason why he cannot attend events abroad, he needs to be telling everyone because to be fair, there might be a genuine reason. Otherwise people are going to start getting more and more fed up.

[montoya10]

True.
Yet somehow that's a more active thread than the one on R1 of the actual tournament...

What tournament? There isn't any ongoing snooker tournament at the moment.

Oh wait :o

[Rane]

But snooker does need Ronnie!

You all wanting ronnie to leave the game, the day that happens is the day the sport begins it's death.

Sad but true :(

Snooker didn´t die when Alex Higgins got banned. He was a much bigger draw. It didn´t die when Jimmy White fell down the rankings, and ROS not beeing there will not mean a lot. How much was John Higgins missed the 6 months he was banned ? Not a lot, and we have seen lots of good tournaments without ROS beeing there.

[tornado taylor]

Snooker didn´t die when Alex Higgins got banned. He was a much bigger draw. It didn´t die when Jimmy White fell down the rankings, and ROS not beeing there will not mean a lot. How much was John Higgins missed the 6 months he was banned ? Not a lot, and we have seen lots of good tournaments without ROS beeing there.

I agree there is always someone to replace them no matter who they are

[Giggity1984]

Snooker didn´t die when Alex Higgins got banned. He was a much bigger draw. It didn´t die when Jimmy White fell down the rankings, and ROS not beeing there will not mean a lot. How much was John Higgins missed the 6 months he was banned ? Not a lot, and we have seen lots of good tournaments without ROS beeing there.

I agree with what u say, but given that John Higgins's 6 month ban boiled down to him missing one Televised tournament, I don't think that comparrisson can be drawn! lol

[The Boss]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/9242660.stm

[prouknow]

Snooker didn´t die when Alex Higgins got banned. He was a much bigger draw. It didn´t die when Jimmy White fell down the rankings, and ROS not beeing there will not mean a lot. How much was John Higgins missed the 6 months he was banned ? Not a lot, and we have seen lots of good tournaments without ROS beeing there.

I agree with what your'e saying but the sport was in a better place then than what it is now. When Alex and Jimmy was around snooker was at its boom and there was always other players to fall back on to draw in the crowds.

As for the game nowadays the sport relies too heavily on ROS. Everything snooker to the majority of the viewing audience is to do with ronnie, they always talk about his antics, his play on the table but not that interested with the other playes. Perfect example last China Open when ronnie withdrew, the match which they put instead of was MJW vs. JH (a perefecatbly good match), but in the audience there was about 15 people tops. Are you telling me that only 15 people was going to watch Ronnie?

Another instance is Rileys has his face splattered all over there promo posters, why because he is a big draw, do u see someone like Neil robertson (the World champ), murphy, selby, allen on them no because they associate it with ROS. I know he got sponsorship by them but rileys was hardly jumping to any of the other players.

Every sport needs its flagbearears (Barry hearn says ronnie is Snookers), tennis is Federer, Darts is Taylor and as much as people dislike it ROS is our sports flag bearer.

End of!!!

[pottingpinks]

I have seen Robbo on some promotional adverts I think to be honest, and why not, he is World Champ after all.

The sport will continue fine long after Ronnie has gone, another talent will come along soon enough. I don't think he's a good role model at all to be honest, he has an abundance of talent but his overall discipline including reliability leaves alot to be desired.

Consistency certainly isn't his strong suit but when he's on form and in the balls (not quite so convinced about his tactical play as some commentators) he's been the best around to watch in recent times.

[steedee]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/9242660.stm

well there you go then.

Can't say he didn't warn us.

[Giggity1984]

well there you go then.

Can't say he didn't warn us.

He can't be the first player who's been through this. Don't know if that excuses it, but, it's gotta be tough.

[beechy1212]

A fair enough reason. However ;-

1) He should inform the tournament directors in plenty of time, so a replacement can take his place.

2) The WC is over 2 weeks long. I assume he wont be attending this.......

[tris]

The game does need ronnie. I barely watch it when he's not playing, but have watched every one of ronnies matches for years. He's just amazing to watch.

There was an article online, maybe in december, explaining that he wouldn't be playing in many of the overseas events because he wants to spend more time with his family etc. Also his ex-girlfriend, jo? has taken him to court over when he can see the kids etc and ronnie spent thousands of pounds trying to get custody, and he's finally got them to give him the children from friday night till monday i think, so breaching that is another think that could jepordise his relationship with his family. Not an easy situation to be in....

If anyone could find the article that'd be cool, i tried but couldnt find it.


The snooker needs some more characters like ronnie, seeing someone with his unparralel talent and perculiar behaviour would be great, Jimmy White was always a ledge to watch, as was higgins, but i'm too young to remember these guys playing properly tbh

[PatBlock]

The game does need ronnie. I barely watch it when he's not playing, but have watched every one of ronnies matches for years...

I don't see how the game benefits from 'fans' who only want to watch one player, and aren't interested in watching anyone else.

-

[Nugget]

There was an article online, maybe in december, explaining that he wouldn't be playing in many of the overseas events because he wants to spend more time with his family etc. Also his ex-girlfriend, jo? has taken him to court over when he can see the kids etc and ronnie spent thousands of pounds trying to get custody, and he's finally got them to give him the children from friday night till monday i think, so breaching that is another think that could jepordise his relationship with his family. Not an easy situation to be in....

If anyone could find the article that'd be cool, i tried but couldnt find it.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/9242660.stm

[Rane]

I agree with what your'e saying but the sport was in a better place then than what it is now. When Alex and Jimmy was around snooker was at its boom and there was always other players to fall back on to draw in the crowds.

As for the game nowadays the sport relies too heavily on ROS. Everything snooker to the majority of the viewing audience is to do with ronnie, they always talk about his antics, his play on the table but not that interested with the other playes. Perfect example last China Open when ronnie withdrew, the match which they put instead of was MJW vs. JH (a perefecatbly good match), but in the audience there was about 15 people tops. Are you telling me that only 15 people was going to watch Ronnie?

Another instance is Rileys has his face splattered all over there promo posters, why because he is a big draw, do u see someone like Neil robertson (the World champ), murphy, selby, allen on them no because they associate it with ROS. I know he got sponsorship by them but rileys was hardly jumping to any of the other players.

Every sport needs its flagbearears (Barry hearn says ronnie is Snookers), tennis is Federer, Darts is Taylor and as much as people dislike it ROS is our sports flag bearer.

End of!!!

In terms of promotion of the sport a flag bearer who is totally unpredictable isn´t worth much. If I had put money into supporting the german masters I would consider it another time next year if I didn´t know what I would get from my support.

[Littlesense]

Theres no doubt at all that Ronnie is magic around the table at times and im afraid that there are many people who only watch snooker because of him and to prove it take note of the viewing numbers when he gets knocked out of a Tournament.

I myself can only watch a certain number of players as many dont interest me at all as their standards are fairly poor and they have very little flair in their game.

I cant sit and watch some match that takes 6 hours to complete most of all when its a final and it ends up being a hard going slog at 1.30am on a monday morning.

If Ferret you have been given the correct details of why he cant make it by one of his so called friends then i think youd still be able to understand the reasons why he hasnt gone, His had a very hard time of it over the last year and i think for a change within sport its nice to see someone put their family first for a change.

However Ronnies past behaviour lets himself down in these times, he is and can be a very strange charactor away from the table and sometimes we get a glimpse of this on TV.
He is a very hard person to understand sometimes who doesnt behave in a way that most of us would but at the end of the day his a one off who gets people talking, gets people interested in the sport and really in the grand plan of things wont be here for ever but will be talked about for as long as the game lives, we arnt going to change his ways by talking about it so we might as well apreciate him when he turns up.

You dont see many topics about all the other players who have failed to go to the Players Tour matches but they wont be missed in 30 years any way.

[Giggity1984]

Higgins has pulled out cos Family comes first too.

[Neville Baguley]

it seems that in this country we set someone up on a pedestal only to knock them down when the fancy takes us. RoS is as human as the rest of us but with a slight difference, he is a genius at his chosen sport. Think of any genius you like in any field and you will see a person who lives life on the edge in many ways.

It seems that Ronnie is putting family first (good for him). Personally I can forgive the man for being unpredictable at times if he can entertain me with a 147 break in 5 min 20 secs, I never tire of seeing it.

[jamesa54321]

I don't think anyone has a problem with Ronnie putting his family first - the issue is him entering tournaments then not bothering to turn up or withdrawing at the last minute.

[cueman]

I don't think anyone has a problem with Ronnie putting his family first - the issue is him entering tournaments then not bothering to turn up or withdrawing at the last minute.

Its not just that though is it. The vast majority of players have families that I'm sure they'd like to spend more time with, however any successful sportsperson sometimes has to make some sacrifices if they want success. After all if they have dedicated a large part of their lives to a sport in order to compete at the highest level and enjoy success and earn millions surely a small sacrifice of being away from your family for a week or two every few months is hardly much of a sacrifice to make is it?

What about all the normal working class people that work a 40 hour week or more in a job they hate, travelling for hours and earning a pittance, I'm sure they would trade positions with Ronnie any day. The thing is its these people who are constantly let down by Ronnie and his moods. OK he is using the family as his excuse now but there have been plenty of occassions in the past when that hasn't been the case.

I do think people need to get a little perspective here. Nobody is asking him to play all the time but he should have a duty for the game when it needs everyone pulling together to make it a success. Fortunately this week it seems the german fans are delighted to have a big tournament being held there but this might not work in some other countries if he continues to avoid travelling when it suits him.

[pottingpinks]

A good sensible post cueman.
I notice Barry Hearn today is saying that Ronnie has lost hold of the flag he had so it seems he wont be the flag bearer for much longer (unless assurances are made that he will turn up).

I agree its all about the timing, its unacceptable to pull out 5 mins before the event starts (unless its something very serious), if he has an arrangement to see his kids he should state that at the start of the season rather than con everyone into thinking he will be there when that's not the case.

It does make me wonder whether he leaves himself in until the last minute according to his whim on the day just in case he fancies it, but thats not much use to anyone.

Where does medical reasons fit into wanting to see ones kids anyhow??

[Manvilla]

Ronnie is the most popular draw in snooker because he is the most talented player on the circuit.... if not the most talented player of all time. He does not appreciate how gifted he is and that is his biggest problem.


When he is interviewed he is extremely modest and anyone can see that the man does not believe he has as much talent as we all know he has. In the Snooker Shootout tournament last month he was interviewed by Rob Walker after getting 2 tons and a 90+ out of 4 frames and Ronnie almost got embarrassed by the fact that Rob was in awe of his accomplishment.

If O’Sullivan had a brain like Hendry or Davis who both embraced the gift that they had, he wouldn’t be doing this (pulling out of events). He doesn’t realise how brilliant he is and therefore he doesn’t understand the consequences of his actions.

He does not understand what the fuss is all about when he walks out of a tournament because he has no self-belief. In Ronnie’s world/mind he believes that his withdrawal would be equivalent to the withdrawal of Jack Lisowski, no disrespect meant to this up and coming young player but there wouldn’t be too many people talking about it.

[grimreaper]

Just sack the idiot such a waste of space::mad::

[drlog147]

Higgins has pulled out cos Family comes first too.

believe john has more to worry himself about than ronnie with his family problems
plus what will happen next season if ronnie drop's out of the top sixteen sure joe johnson said a while ago on euro sport that hes down to 10 already can any of us see ronnie qualiflying !!!!

[João]

Ronnie is the most popular draw in snooker because he is the most talented player on the circuit.... if not the most talented player of all time. He does not appreciate how gifted he is and that is his biggest problem.


When he is interviewed he is extremely modest and anyone can see that the man does not believe he has as much talent as we all know he has. In the Snooker Shootout tournament last month he was interviewed by Rob Walker after getting 2 tons and a 90+ out of 4 frames and Ronnie almost got embarrassed by the fact that Rob was in awe of his accomplishment.

If O’Sullivan had a brain like Hendry or Davis who both embraced the gift that they had, he wouldn’t be doing this (pulling out of events). He doesn’t realise how brilliant he is and therefore he doesn’t understand the consequences of his actions.

He does not understand what the fuss is all about when he walks out of a tournament because he has no self-belief. In Ronnie’s world/mind he believes that his withdrawal would be equivalent to the withdrawal of Jack Lisowski, no disrespect meant to this up and coming young player but there wouldn’t be too many people talking about it.

The (pathetic) things you people make up to excuse his actions. :eek:

[beechy1212]

I think he knows exactly how good he is. Personally, i don't think he has much time for most interviewers, press etc and just says anything to either contradict or get out of there.

[montoya10]

Ronnie is still Ronnie, and love him or hate him, his role in promoting snooker is unquestionable, leaving the flag bearer debate out of equation, as it could due a change at anytime..

Honestly, it's too much for me to read so deeply into one's action and call for his head, especially considering his ill-wise mental health.

I don't suggest it's the right thing to withdraw hours before an event, but as long as Ronnie doesn't care, what can be done? Nothing. He doesn't care about the ranking points he gets docked, he doesn't care if he gets fined for pounds, and he will not care if you give him a life-time ban from snooker.

He continues to be a real draw for this sport, and he will continue to be so, just like Jimmy White and Alex Higgins..
And although I don't think snooker will die without Ronnie, it's surely not going to be as good as it has been with him. Note this down, young kids ( myself included ) growing up watching Ronnie and his generation play, will tell you the same, many years later..

[Manvilla]

The (pathetic) things you people make up to excuse his actions. :eek:


This is not an attempt to excuse his actions its my opinion of whats going on in Ronnies head and I would suggest its not too far off the mark.

[Gerry Armstrong]

I hope all the people who think snooker will die without ROS caught the snooker on Eurosport this evening. 2,500 capacity crowd to watch Dott, Selby, Williams and Fu.

I know people have their favourite players but going on this evidence it would seem "snooker" has more than enough fans who want to turn up and watch no matter who is playing, certainly in Germany.

Let's up hope this is a glimpse of the future for the game.

[DamienConnolly]

I hope all the people who think snooker will die without ROS caught the snooker on Eurosport this evening. 2,500 capacity crowd to watch Dott, Selby, Williams and Fu.

I know people have their favourite players but going on this evidence it would seem "snooker" has more than enough fans who want to turn up and watch no matter who is playing, certainly in Germany.

Let's up hope this is a glimpse of the future for the game.

Well said! some great stuff from MJW tonight. Crowd seemed to be really into it aswell!

[pottingpinks]

As much as he is great on his day, when he isnt in the mood its an equally unedifying spectacle, sometimes showing a lack of fight, disrespecting the game and shortchanging the fans on occasions.

So we do have to look at the whole picture and not just remember his great days in isolation.

He isnt personally one of my favourite players as you might guess, as I dont particularly like his attitude, but on his day he is as good as anyone to watch and a great artist amongst the balls.

[carmencita]

Because I read in German Snooker forums, I can tell you: The German snooker fans don’t need Ronnie O'Sullivan!

The German fans can not believe that someone who just played the Shoot Out the weekend before and on Tuesday the exhibition with Jimmy White at once sick if he should leave the UK. It is not the first time that Ronnie had cancelled a tournament in Germany. More precisely, at to two EPTC tournaments (I think that was in Fuehrt and in Hamm) he not appeared without to cancel it. Most German snooker fans consider this behavior of Ronnie O'Sullivan as a disrespect for the German snooker fans and even the fanatical Ronnie fans say already that he, if he has no desire to play real snooker, rather stop to play to permit his place to a player that really loves snooker.

Because I am currently living in Germany, I was on Saturday and Sunday at the Tempodrom in Berlin. There were fans from all over Germany and if you have experienced the live atmosphere you know that no one misses Ronnie O'Sullivan. The players were clearly enthusiastically by the audience and the audience by the players that all have brought a top performance. And even a seasoned referee like Jan Verhaas was impressed by the welcome of the audience at the final. I heared he needed half a frame to get the trembling of his hands under control.

After the match I still went to a pub and there were German snooker fans too. The unanimous opinion there: "Next year we are all returning to the German Masters.". They told me that the players who are played there since Wednesday have not only made a top performance they also played a very entertaining snooker - such like a Mark Williams, who in the 15th frame of the final quickly pilfered the White from the table and hided it into the pocket of his trousers.

[nevets]

The German Masters seemed to be pretty successful without ROS. I barely noticed he wasn't there, and I'm a big fan of his!