Ronnie O'Sullivan could reportedly be set to feature as a TV pundit at the Welsh Open after pulling out of the tournament on Tuesday.
The 'Rocket' has struggled to build up momentum this season and has withdrawn from several tournaments throughout the campaign.
This week's Welsh Open marks the eighth tournament O'Sullivan has pulled out of in the latest blow to snooker fans.
The announcement came just hours before he was set to face Jamie Clarke in the first round.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from eight tournaments this season
PAAccording to The Sun, O'Sullivan's latest withdrawal as due to 'medical reasons'.
Despite no longer being in the field to compete for the Welsh Open title, it's been reported that O'Sullivan may feature as a TV pundit for Discovery+.
No final decision has reportedly been made, but TV bosses are seemingly trying to thrash out an agreement to get O'Sullivan in the studio.
Dominic Dale was caught off guard by O'Sullivan's latest withdrawal with the World Championships just a few months away.
“I’m a little bit surprised. If Ronnie withdraws from an event, it’s normally a couple of days before an event begins," he said.
“To pull out on the eve of this match, I was a bit surprised, particularly as the world championship is coming round the corner in a couple of months.
“It would have been good practice for Ronnie. He broke his cue a month ago. Maybe he has cue issues as well.”
Clarke received a bye to the next round after O'Sullivan pulled out of the tournament, pushing him to 63rd in the world rankings.
Ronnie O'Sullivan could still be on TV as a pundit this week
PAThe Welshman was looking forward to the challenge of facing O'Sullivan, although he was clearly grateful to progress to the next round.
“Yeah, I was relishing playing him," he said.
“There was 20 per cent a little bit disappointment when I got the phone call this morning.
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Reuters“Because he’s coming towards the end of his career. You don’t get many chances to play Ronnie.
“He picks and chooses his events and rightly so. I was probably more happy than not happy, but it would have been nice to play him.”
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