LONDON - World snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan will not defend his title in May and will not play any professional matches for the rest of this season.

World Snooker chairman Barry 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."

The Englishman, who won his fourth world title this year, has long had a difficult relationship with the sport's governing body and said in May that players were expected to take part in too many tournaments.