Ronnie pulls out from Bahrain

[Odrl]

What a coincidence that would be, both players that are withdrawing were supposed to play each other. What would happen in this case? O'Sullivan as the seed getting half points, and Davis as the qualifier getting full points for the round? Or would Davis get the 2nd round points because O'Sullivan withdrew first?

And another thing, if Davis does pull out, what a match Fu and Dale would be playing. The winner getting the QF points at least, and the loser only the 1st round points (or half of them in the case of Fu).

[matoski]

Exept Ronnie, there are probably at least 10 more players who will compete in Bahrain feeling bad about their game at the moment. What will happen if all of them just say, screw it, i don't play good these days, and don't show up in Bahrain. Ronnie's behaviour is selfish and childish. He is the ultimate spoilt brat in sport.

[leeroygor]

This is Mark King's chance to bag a title at last

Yes Mark King must surely be in the driving seat now

[Migtsf]

I find it a bit curious Ronnie announcement coming after the qualifying stages. Could it be he was waiting to see if Steve Davis was going to make it, to help him out getting some more precious points by ditching an event he wasn’t probably too keen on participating in the first place, or is this just fantasy?

On the other hand, what can we make of this ‘illness’? There is a lot of talk about his mental condition, but I wonder if that isn’t overshadowing some sort of physical injury. I remember when Ronnie missed the Shanghai Masters in last season, it was mentioned a back injury, and doctor’s advised him not to travel and not to play snooker. Could he be suffering from the same problem again? Has he been hiding an impeditive injury? How long has this been going? Is he’s commitment to running and fitness a means to avoid aggravating this condition, or is this just fantasy?

[Templeton Peck]

What a coincidence that would be, both players that are withdrawing were supposed to play each other. What would happen in this case? O'Sullivan as the seed getting half points, and Davis as the qualifier getting full points for the round? Or would Davis get the 2nd round points because O'Sullivan withdrew first?

And another thing, if Davis does pull out, what a match Fu and Dale would be playing. The winner getting the QF points at least, and the loser only the 1st round points (or half of them in the case of Fu).

I suspect since neither player would be ready for play in the first round neither will get the 2nd points. Davis will get his qualification points (1400?) and Ronnie his seeded loser points (700). He may as well withdraw because he's probably going to have to throw his second round match to get out of this mess, so for the sake of 500 points pulling a sicky is his best way out. Because it's an ear infection he'll just have a doctor's note saying he cannot fly and that will free him up to play in the Premier League.

[masterwill86]

Hmm, well I always thought this tournament was iffy from when it was first annouced, honestly, World Snooker should have looked at the calendar more properly, maybe they should have played this in early September time and make it the first ranking event of the season, also have the Northern Ireland Trophy around the same time they had the event last year, final being second sunday of this month & then have the Shanghai Masters about the same time of this year; late September/early October then a fuss might have been averted, I think this is something to consider for the 2009/10 calendar

anyway; hopefully, the players that turn up in Manama next week, even though it will have a very empty feeling without Ronnie, Higgins etc, will produce a tournament to savour & promote snooker back to the Middle East where I think a tournament should be held year in year out

[Templeton Peck]

I think they should tour the axis of evil: Iraq, Iran, Syria, North Korea and throw in Russia and Zimbabwe. The government would do their nut, and the respective governments of these countries would probably sponsor tournaments just to wind up the UK government!

[Ellena]

Sorry to hear all this..hope he'll feel better soon and up for the UK Ch.
All the best for Ronnie.

Now with Ros out , Ding and Williams not there..i wonder who will I cheer for this tournament?! Maybe King...and Magsy, fcourse...:snooker:

[RocketRoy1983]

If we all know Ronnie by now he will feel as though his game isnt up to scratch and he doesnt wanna go over there and play badly in front of the cameras and to his audience. I wouldve liked him to go over there but im not the one making the decision.

[GOMH71]

Or, as I and many suspect, he just can't be arsed travelling to Bahrain ?...

[In-off]

I think they should tour the axis of evil: Iraq, Iran, Syria, North Korea and throw in Russia and Zimbabwe. The government would do their nut, and the respective governments of these countries would probably sponsor tournaments just to wind up the UK government!

Alas, these countries have said they won't work with World Snooker

They do have some principles

[Monique]

Alas, these countries have said they won't work with World Snooker

They do have some principles

Like having Michaela Tabb referring only if wearing a burka?

[Peter147]

If Steve does get a doctors note to say he can't compete in Bahrain, that should mean he can't take part in the Premier League. An ear infection is an ear infection regardless what country you are in.

[darrus]

Peter, he can play in this condition, but as far as I know if you have some sort of an ear infection it is not recommended to fly. So he can play in Bahrain but he can't get there basically

[gby4]

How long do those ear infections usually last? Second round matches start Tuesday...