• German Masters Snooker

O'Sullivan withdraws as German Masters begins

Ronnie O'Sullivan has angered Barry Hearn © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Hearn tells O'Sullivan to buck up or quit
  
• News: Allen sent packing by Swail in Berlin
  

Ronnie O'Sullivan drew the wrath of World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn after making an 11th-hour withdrawal from the German Masters on Wednesday.

The Berlin tournament got underway on Wednesday, but the world's most iconic player will not feature. O'Sullivan is believed to have a medical certificate to justify his absence, but Hearn clearly is not happy with the former world No. 1.

"When I took over he was my flag-bearer but now he's dropped the flag," said Hearn. "I don't care if Ronnie doesn't play but what he can't do is enter and pull out at the last minute, without very good reason.

"It's his face on all the posters in Germany; it's a very important tournament for us as we try to develop the European market and an awful lot of people are going to be disappointed he's not there. This can't go on. Ronnie's very likeable when he wants to be but he should start considering his future in the game and his responsibilities to it."

Another top player, Neil Robertson, is also a concern due to a lost passport, leaving an exasperated Hearn to question: "What with Ronnie and a world champion who's lost his passport, what chance have you got?"

Nigel Bond, who won the Snooker Shootout on Sunday, started the German Masters successfully with a 5-2 win over Stefan Kasper that sees him meet Mark Selby in the first round.

Others to progress included Joe Swail, who won 5-0 to book a date with Mark Allen, and Anthony Hamilton, who now meets world champion Robertson following a 5-1 triumph over Pawel Leyk .

Jack Lisowski and Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon also advance.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.