Ronnie O’Sullivan smashed his cue on the table during a Championship League match (Image: X/SnookerSuper)
was last seen smashing his cue in a fit of frustration only a day before the snooker star’s dramatic withdrawal from the 2025 Masters.
The 49-year-old was scheduled to play the first match of the tournament against John Higgins as the top 16 players from around the world gather for the Triple Crown event.
But tournament organisers were forced into a late change after O’Sullivan pulled out just two days before the event was due to begin on January 12 at Alexandra Palace.
The Rocket had decided not to take part on medical grounds, meaning that Neil Robertson was called up on his place to the event in London.
And it came 24 hours after O’Sullivan smashed his cue against the table in a Championship League group game against Robert Milkins, raising concerns about his temperament.
The seven-time world champion could not hide his frustration after missing a straightforward pot into the bottom-left pocket, striking his cue against the table.
He had been leading 2-1 in frames at the time, but O’Sullivan went on to lose 3-2 to Milkins.
It was his third defeat in four matches and he responded by quitting the tournament shortly after his defeat.
Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew from the 2025 Masters (Image: Getty)
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O’Sullivan was due to face Ali Carter on Thursday, but that match was cancelled after he pulled out of the tournament. And it is not yet known whether it has any link to his decision not to play in the Masters.
The commentator at the event claimed that O’Sullivan was ‘absolutely furious’ during the incident after flying off the handle and storming out.
“It’s all happening here in Leicester,” Dave Hendon said. “He certainly imploded during that opening game, Ronnie. He was absolutely furious with nothing but himself, just the way he was playing, things weren’t going right.
“Robert Milkins getting the win in the end. Ronnie O’Sullivan, having a lash-up at times, just smashing the ball.
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s frustrations boiled over (Image: Getty)
What was more concerning was that, with reports suggesting that he could retire soon as he appoaches his 50th birthday, O’Sullivan appeared to lose his motivation to play the rest of the tie.
During the fifth and final frame, O’Sullivan could be seen paying barely any attention to the make-up of the balls on the table.
Instead, he opted to fire the cue ball into a crowded area of balls, as the Londoner trudged back to his seat without checking where his shot ended up.
On his final outburst, Hendon added: “Still anyone’s frame though… well, he’s [O’Sullivan] literally just whacked them. He’s given up I think.”