Mark Allen makes Ronnie O'Sullivan World Championship prediction saying Rocket could 'tease us all'
Mark Allen believes Ronnie O'Sullivan could wait until snooker's World Championships before returning to action.
The eight time world champ shocked snooker fans by pulling out of defending his Masters title just 48 hours before he was due to take on old foe John Higgins at Alexandra Palace, with organisers citing 'health issues' for the decision. O'Sullivan had cut a frustrated figure in the build-up to the event, lashing out at the table twice during the Championship League - in which he won just one of his five matches.
But news of his withdrawal came as a blow to fans, with a blockbuster between O'Sullivan and Higgins due to kick off snooker's first major of 2025. And rival Mark Allen believes that fans might have to wait until April to now catch the Rocket back at the table. Speaking on the BBC the Northern Irishman said: "You can see the frustration whenever he was playing the other day. Sometimes it's not snooker that causes those frustrations, it can be outside influences. You never really know what's going on with people, but we all wish Ronnie well. Snooker is better with Ronnie O'Sullivan.
"Ronnie is Ronnie, we're never sure (when we'll see him play). He could turn up at the most obscure event, or he might just wait until the World Championships and tease us all. I just wish him well and he'll pick and choose whenever he wants to come back." Fellow pundit, and six time world champion Steve Davis, added: "I think he's here working on TV, so maybe it's not physical health reasons. I assume, judging by the last tournament, that he's not enjoying his snooker. And if you're not enjoying your snooker it's best to not play."
Scots hero Stephen Hendry meanwhile fears that fans won't get to see Higgins and O'Sullivan going head-to-head at Alexandra Palace again, adding: "I'm sure like everyone I was disappointed, and I'm sure John Higgins is disappointed as well. After the draw was made at the UK Championship he would've been so excited about the match. How many times are these two greats from 92 going to play in this arena again? It may have been the last time ever, we don't know. And I think John will be as disappointed as anyone."
