Ronnie O'Sullivan withdraws from International Championship in Nanjing due to medical reasons

Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from next month's International Championship in Nanjing for medical reasons. The 50-year-old was scheduled to play a qualifying match in Leicester on September 17, but he will now miss the event. This is the third consecutive tournament O'Sullivan has pulled out of in a short period. He had already withdrawn from the British Open and the English Open this month. His last ranking event in the UK was in September 2026, meaning his absence from European tournaments may continue. However, O'Sullivan's medical issues have not always stopped him from competing. Earlier this season, he played in the China Open and the Wuhan Open. In China, O'Sullivan has often looked more comfortable physically and mentally. That creates a paradox: he skips events in England for health reasons but is still willing to travel to Asia to play. Looking at the bigger picture, repeatedly withdrawing can affect O'Sullivan's ranking and points total. But for a 50-year-old legend, prolonging his career matters more than playing every tournament. He is carefully managing his schedule to reduce travel stress and maintain competitiveness in suitable events. It would be easy to conclude that O'Sullivan is approaching retirement. Yet the evidence suggests otherwise: he is still entering tournaments and only withdraws when his body does not allow him to play. The real issue is the density of the calendar and the intensity of travelling between Europe and Asia, not a lack of desire. The big question for the rest of the season is whether O'Sullivan will focus more on tournaments in China, where he receives strong support and often feels better on and off the table.