Hong Kong Masters snooker and Hollywood: How Nicole Kidman controversy affects Ronnie O'Sullivan return to Asia

World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan will be able to practise at the tournament venue before the Hong Kong Masters begins after being granted an official exemption from local Covid-19 rules. The Hong Kong Coliseum is staging the popular event, the first time the elite invitational competition has been held since Neil Robertson defeated O'Sullivan 6-3 in the 2017 final at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. Ad Tournament organisers have gained approval for the eight players competing for the £100,000 first prize to travel between their hotel and the Coliseum during the four-day event with several arriving less than 72 hours before the action breaks off.

Snooker‘I’m the best when I play my best’ – Trump on overtaking O'Sullivan as world No. 12 HOURS AGO Hong Kong's official Covid rules state that visitors must adhere to three days of quarantine with restrictions on movements. Breaching these laws is a criminal offence, but overseas arrivals – including the world's top six players O'Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, John Higgins and Zhao Xintong – have been granted an exemption to allow them to prepare for the tournament which runs between Thursday and Sunday live on Eurosport.

Australian actress Nicole Kidman prompted outrage among locals last year when the Oscar winner was given a government pass to avoid the three-day quarantine. But officials of the Hong Kong Billiard Sports Control Council (HKBSCC) insist this is not a repeat of the Kidman incident. “The case of Nicole Kidman was completely different,” said Vincent Law Wing-chung, HKBSCC chairman.

“She was exempted from quarantine. «Our players still have to observe 0+3. They cannot dine in restaurants.