A series of players have decided to withdraw from the 2020 Snooker World Championship, which is slated to take place in Sheffield at the end of the month. Governing officials confirmed the news via an official media release. Since the withdrawals don't include anyone from the world's top 16, the organizers remain optimistic that the tournament will go ahead without major issues.
Under normal conditions, these athletes would have participated in the qualifying stages beginning July 21. However, it was reported earlier this week that about 10 players from China have declined to travel, citing concerns over the spread of COVID-19. These fears were fueled by reports of new positive cases appearing in a Beijing market a couple of weeks ago, leading the Chinese government to tighten its quarantine protocols.
Despite the situation, star Chinese player Ding Junhui—who was absent from last month's Coral Tour Championship—has confirmed his intention to compete in Sheffield. Conversely, other notable names, including Marco Fu, Zhou Yuelong, and three-time women's world champion Ng On-yee, have officially withdrawn from the event.
The World Snooker Tour issued a statement acknowledging that several players have chosen not to travel to the UK. They noted that the qualifying draw will be finalized after the entry deadline on July 6. Furthermore, the World Snooker Tour tweeted on Thursday that they and the WPBSA are actively working to assist international players in navigating the travel hurdles to reach the UK.
WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson emphasized that they have been working relentlessly since the start of the pandemic to ensure every player has a fair opportunity to participate in the World Championship. While he admitted it is a daunting challenge, he believes it is achievable. Ferguson added that while the final decision to attend rests with each individual player, the tournament will proceed as the majority of the field is eager to compete for the title.