'Drained and stressed' defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan pulls out of Champions of Champions

Ronnie O'Sullivan has withdrawn from the Champions of Champions tournament in Bolton, citing mental health reasons.

O'Sullivan competed in the International Championship in China last week, his first tournament after missing the Northern Ireland Open for a medical issue.

He was due to play Zhang Anda on Wednesday - the player who beat O'Sullivan in the semi-finals in Tianjin and went on to win the tournament.

"Hi guys, just wanted to let you know I'm unfortunately withdrawing from the Champions of Champions event tomorrow," said O’Sullivan on X, formerly Twitter.

"Mentally, I feel a bit drained and stressed and I want to look after my mental health and my body. I’m sorry to all the fans but I’ll be back."

The Rocket was victorious in the tournament last year and could now return for the UK Championship beginning on 25 November in York.