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Tom Bell

Ronnie O’Sullivan has withdrawn from snooker’s World Grand Prix in Hong Kong only days before the tournament.
Organisers received notification on Saturday that the seven-time world champion would not be travelling to the city, for health reasons.
Hossein Vafaei, the world No 33, will replace O’Sullivan in the event at Kai Tak Arena, which will begin on Tuesday.
“I am very disappointed not to be competing,” O’Sullivan said. “I had been eager to make my comeback in Hong Kong and have put in my utmost effort, but unfortunately must consider my health.

“I wish to sincerely thank the organisers and all the Hong Kong fans for their support.”
O’Sullivan had pulled out of six previous tournaments this season for health reasons, and apologised to ticket-holders at those events who had hoped to watch him play.
The Englishman, 49, recently gained Hong Kong residency under the city’s Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, and had been a major draw when he appeared in and won the Hong Kong Masters invitational event in 2022.
This month’s World Grand Prix, the first ranking tournament to be held in Hong Kong since 1989, is designed to feature the sport’s top 32 players. They will still include Judd Trump – also now a Hong Kong resident – along with Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy, current world champion Kyren Wilson and China’s Ding Junhui.
It is hoped that the event will attract the world’s biggest ever crowd for a ranking event, with the brand-new Kai Tak Arena having capacity for more than 5,000 spectators.
Organisers said they “very much regret that Ronnie is not now able to participate, but obviously his health has to be the absolute top priority”. They added that they remained confident in the tournament’s “stellar field of world-class players to enthuse and excite Hong Kong snooker fans”.
Vafaei, rather than O’Sullivan, will now play Si Jiahui in the opening round on Wednesday.
“It’s a real shame that Ronnie is not able to play at the moment and I wish him all the best,” Vafaei said.
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to travel to Hong Kong and compete in such a big tournament. It is a huge and exciting event for all the players.”


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Winning decision for tennis and snooker in Hong Kong

Snooker and tennis could be spared axe, Hong Kong chiefs eye change to elite status rule

World Snooker

Ronnie O’Sullivan withdraws from snooker World Grand Prix in Hong Kong

Ronnie O’Sullivan plays in Macau last December. Photo: Xinhua

Ronnie O’Sullivan was a crowd favourite at the Hong Kong Masters in 2022. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Hong Kong resident Trump aims to make city proud by winning World Grand Prix

Judd Trump said he hoped to make Hong Kong fans proud at the World Grand Prix next month. Photo: Handout

Ronnie O’Sullivan reassured Hong Kong snooker fans that he would be at the tournament Photo: Handout

China’s Si Jiahui will face Ronnie O’Sullivan in an evening match on day two. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong ‘has upper hand’ as snooker host over mainland China or Macau, thanks to Kai Tak

Kai Tak Sports Park’s indoor arena (pictured in front of the main stadium) offers Hong Kong a new snooker venue. Photo: Sam Tsang

Ronnie O’Sullivan (left) faces Jack Lisowski in the Macau Snooker Masters in December. Photo: Handout

Sport

Hong Kong

Tournament organisers informed on Saturday that seven-time world champion O’Sullivan will not play in city this month


Tournament organisers informed on Saturday that seven-time world champion O’Sullivan will not play in city this month.
