Ronnie O’Sullivan calls for snooker change that could’ve prevented Masters withdrawal

Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan has called on the sport's governing body to help protect players' mental health by hiring doctors for major tournaments.

The Masters champion shocked fans when he withdrew from the tournament just two days before his first-round match. O'Sullivan recently broke his cue in frustration after losing to Robert Milkins in the Championship League and believes World Snooker should do more to care for players' mental welfare.

The seven-time world champion has often spoken openly about his mental health and previously suggested that doctors should attend every snooker competition. This may have stopped O'Sullivan from dropping out of The Masters, having cited exhaustion and the pressure of competition, which could have been spotted earlier by an on-site medical professional.

"I think World Snooker should have somebody. In football, they have masseuses, people sorting out injuries," O'Sullivan explained on Eurosport. "I think snooker should have someone at the tournament employed as like if someone is struggling, they've come off the table, 'do you need 10 minutes with someone?'

"I'm not saying everyone will go in there but I just think a lot of players suffer in silence basically. I can tell, just look at them and they're struggling. They should have someone to go and talk to. I think that's so important. You have coaches sorting your correction out but really you need someone just to unload a bit. I think it would really help the players."

O'Sullivan is aware that players have representation on the World Snooker board but has called for a pivotal change to help with their welfare. "I know Shaun Murphy is part of the panel but they could find the money to employ someone full-time to be there for