Ronnie O'Sullivan withdraws from 2026 International Championship for medical reasons: Concerns over 'The Rocket' at age 50

Ronnie O'Sullivan, the 50-year-old snooker legend, has officially withdrawn from the 2026 International Championship, scheduled to take place in Nanjing, China next month. The announcement came just days before his scheduled qualifying match in Leicester on September 17. This is the third consecutive withdrawal in a short period, following his decisions to pull out of the British Open and the English Open this month. Fans of 'The Rocket' in Vietnam and worldwide cannot help but worry about the physical and mental condition of one of the greatest billiards players in history. Notably, O'Sullivan still plays regularly in tournaments in China. In the early part of the season, he participated in both the China Open and the Wuhan Open, showing he still has the desire to compete. However, his chronic health issues tend to ease when he plays in China, where conditions and pressures differ from those in the UK. His last ranking event in the UK was in September 2026, nearly a year ago. This raises questions about whether he still wants to commit to home events or whether his career is entering a highly selective phase. The International Championship has always been one of the most important events in the World Snooker Tour calendar. With O'Sullivan's withdrawal, organizers are forced to adjust schedules, and his qualifying opponent will either receive a walkover or face a replacement. Behind the administrative impact, O'Sullivan's absence significantly reduces the tournament's media appeal. At 50, he may not always be at his peak, but his brand and influence remain magnets for audiences. His absence leaves a void that is not easy to fill. Throughout his career, O'Sullivan has shown that he can bounce back after breaks, often with renewed focus. Fans hope this withdrawal is a strategy to preserve his health for bigger events like the World Championship. Regardless, his legacy in snooker history remains untouchable.