LONDON: Former world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the China Open for health reasons, World Snooker announced on Friday.
O'Sullivan has won the world title five times and would have been the major attraction at the Beijing event, which he qualified for with a 5-1 victory against Luca Brecel last month.
But a statement from World Snooker read: "Ronnie O'Sullivan has pulled out of next week's China Open world ranking event for health reasons.
"O'Sullivan was due to meet either Robin Hull or Yan Bingtao in his opening match in Beijing on the evening of Tuesday March 31, so the winner of that match will receive a bye to the last 32."
O'Sullivan suffered a 10-7 defeat against Judd Trump in the World Grand Prix final in Wales recently and his next scheduled tournament will be the World Championship in Sheffield next month.
Even without snooker's most recognisable star, the tournament should retain its appeal as China's Ding Junhui, the reigning champion after beating Australia's Neil Robertson in last year's final, will start the defence of his title against Scotland's Marcus Campbell in the first round.
The event begins next Monday, with matches contested over the best of nine frames in the early stages, 11 in the semi-finals and 19 for Sunday's final.
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