Ronnie O'Sullivan withdrew from his Championship League afternoon match today after letting his frustrations show in Leicester.
Fresh from competing in Macau over New Year, where he was in fine form, the seven-time world champion competed in group games on Wednesday and today, with anger at his own performance on show.
O’Sullivan aimed a kick at a pocket and twice hit his cue off the table, with the second occurrence against Robert Milkins almost seeing it break.
In a match with Jak Jones, the 49-year-old was heard muttering "useless" after running out of position.
In what proved his final match of the competition, O’Sullivan played a kamikaze-style shot as he aimlessly hit the white ball into the reds to gift Milkins the chance of victory which he went on to take.
'The Rocket’ was due to play Ali Carter in the afternoon session.
All his matches in the tournament, which works on a group phase, including a victory, were voided following his dramatic withdrawal.
O'Sullivan will begin the defence of his Masters title at Alexandra Palace on Sunday against John Higgins.
