Snooker professional Chris Wakelin has admitted it is a disappointment for the fans that he is stepping in to replace the absent Ronnie O'Sullivan at the prestigious Masters tournament, but he is determined to put on a show in the Rocket's place.
A Late Night Call and a Golden Opportunity
The world number 17 received the call to enter the Alexandra Palace event on Friday night, after the eight-time champion O'Sullivan withdrew citing medical reasons. O'Sullivan was originally scheduled to face Neil Robertson in a mouth-watering first-round match on Wednesday, January 14. Wakelin will now take on the Australian in that high-profile slot.
'I got the call last night, just before it was officially announced,' Wakelin revealed. 'A very welcome phone call.' He explained he had been out running and missed the initial attempt, but the life-changing news came through shortly after he returned home.
The financial stakes are significant, with a first-round loss still worth £25,000 and the champion taking home a whopping £350,000. Despite the huge opportunity, Wakelin is sticking to his weekend plans, including running a half-marathon. 'We’re not out to break any world records,' he said, 'just get the miles in.'
Sympathy for Fans, Focus on Form
Wakelin fully acknowledges the letdown for spectators. 'It’s a massive shame for the tournament and for the fans,' he stated. 'There’s only one person who’s thrilled about it and luckily for me, that is me.' He extended his best wishes to O'Sullivan, noting, 'Obviously he’s got his reasons and I hope he’s alright.'
The 33-year-old arrives at the Masters in superb form, having won the Scottish Open in Edinburgh less than a month ago. That victory was a perfect response to slipping out of the world's top 16, which had initially cost him automatic qualification for the Masters and UK Championship.
'I thought to myself, "I’m not going to feel sorry for myself... If I want to get back in the 16, I’ve got to go and win something,"' Wakelin said. His triumph, a 9-2 final victory over Chang Bingyu, was a statement. 'I managed to do what the top boys do... I put him in the pressure cooker.'
A New Chapter and a Familiar Foe
This year's Masters experience will be starkly different to his debut in 2025, which came under immense personal strain as his daughter was born eight weeks early and was in hospital during his first-round loss. 'I really wasn’t arsed about being there last year,' he admitted frankly. 'That was the first day since she’d been born that I hadn’t seen her.'
Now, with his daughter 'happy and healthy', his focus is entirely on the table. He faces a familiar opponent in Neil Robertson, having beaten the Australian 10-8 in last season’s World Championship. Wakelin is confident he can repeat the feat.
'We all know what he’s capable of, but I think people are starting to notice now that I’m capable of those sort of things as well,' Wakelin asserted. 'Being at the Masters, it doesn’t phase me.'
The first-round match between Neil Robertson and Chris Wakelin is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14 at Alexandra Palace.
