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Neil Foulds claims Ding Junhui will be ‘particularly pleased’ to see Ronnie O’Sullivan take a break from snooker.
Rocket has withdrawn from next week’s German Masters as he prioritizes his health and well-being.
O’Sullivan has won his last three tournaments, including the first two Triple Crown events of the season.
He won the UK Championships in December before winning a record eighth Masters title earlier this month.
Neil Folds claims Ding Junhui would be happy to see Ronnie O’Sullivan take a break
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The 48-year-old followed that up with a come-from-behind victory over Judd Trump at the World Grand Prix last Sunday.
O’Sullivan defeated Ding 10–7 in the final of the UK Championships and then eliminated him from both the Masters and the World Grand Prix.
His victory in the Grand Prix was described by pundits as one of the best seasons of snooker ever seen.
Ding will miss next week’s German Masters after losing his qualifier to Yuan Sijun in December.
However, former player Folds says the China star would be happy for O’Sullivan to reduce the number of tournaments he plays.
He believes there will be an overall sense of relief during the tour that the seven-time world champion is taking a step back.
Folds wrote for Sporting Life: “[O’Sullivan] Can’t continue to win every week, of course he can’t, but right now, when he is playing well, it is difficult to see who comes forward to take him down.
“Tournament organizers in Germany may be disappointed he won’t be in Berlin, but other players will be relieved.
“One person who will be particularly happy to see Ronnie return is Ding, who was denied late in the UK Championship final and completely stunned that season in the semi-finals at the World Grand Prix.
“It was a brilliant thing from Ronnie, and my ITV colleague Ken Doherty described it as the best session of snooker he had ever seen.
“I wouldn’t want to completely nail that mast, but most of the best seasons in snooker history have involved Ronnie – including defeating Ricky Walden 6–0 at the Masters in 2014, when scoring 556 points without any answers , This is another performance I will never forget.
“What a player he has been, and what a player he will continue to be. A truly remarkable player.”
Latest sports news:
Ding Junhui has lost three times to Ronnie O’Sullivan since the beginning of December
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If O’Sullivan wins a record-breaking eighth World Championship he could hold all three Triple Crown events at the same time.
But snooker fans won’t be seeing much of him until the tournament begins at the Crucible in April.
O’Sullivan issued a statement on Friday confirming he had pulled out of next week’s event in Germany.
He said: “Hello friends, I would like to tell my fans in Germany that sadly I have decided to withdraw from the German Masters next week.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has defeated Ding Junhui in three consecutive tournaments
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“I love this event and my fans in Germany but I have to prioritize my health and well-being.
“It’s been an exhausting and challenging season for me so far, regardless of how it looks with tournament wins, so hopefully you understand.
“I’m sorry I won’t be there and I hope to see you all soon.”
