LONDON, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Four-time world champion Ronnie O' Sullivan will miss the remainder of the 2012-13 season because of "personal issues", World Snooker chairman Barry hearn said here on Tuesday.
Hearn said in a statement: "I have spoken to Ronnie and he has decided to withdraw from any events he has entered, and he will not be playing for the rest of this season. He has some personal issues which he needs to resolve and we wish him all the best for the future."
After beating Ali Carter 18-11 to win his fourth world title in May, O'Sullivan announced to take a six-month sabbatical from the sport and one month later he said he was taking time off from the game.
He missed the first three ranking events of the season and slipped to No. 17 in the world rankings -- the first time he has been outside the top 16 since he entered the game's elite 19 years ago.