Snooker star Ricky Walden was rushed to hospital just hours ahead of his latest clash.

The 42-year-old was set to take on Barry Hawkins in the last-16 of the competition on Thursday. But it has been confirmed that Walden has pulled out on medical grounds having been rushed to hospital.

A statement from the on Thursday read: “Ricky Walden has withdrawn from the ongoing Machineseeker German Masters on medical grounds.”

Former German snooker star Rolf Kalb added on X: “Bad news. Ricky Walden had to be taken to hospital last night and was therefore forced to withdraw from the German Masters.”

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The issue with Walden’s health has yet to be disclosed but he had previously been in impressive form. He had overcome Ryan Day and Dylan Emery, to tee-up his last-16 clash with Hawkins.

Victory on Thursday would have seen Walden book his first quarter-final appearance since the 2023 Northern Ireland Open. Instead, Hawkins has been given an automatic bye into the last eight of the competition, where he will take on either Wu Yize or Alexander Ursenbacher.

The former overcame Northern Irish star to seal his spot in the next round. And Allen has since taken to social media with his thoughts on his elimination.

He wrote: “Not to be in this year's German Masters. Well done to Wu. If anyone sees me back at this event under current conditions has permission to tell me off. Thanks in advance,” alongside a laughing emoji.

Who will win the German Masters?

Reigning German Masters champion continues his title defence on Thursday as he comes up against Neil Robertson in the evening session. He recently claimed that the tournament should be given more status on the tour.

Speaking ahead of getting his title defence underway, he said: "I’d like to have seen it grow somehow, I think the tournament deserves to be bigger than it is. I don’t think it should be on a par [in terms of prize money] with some of the other events like the Home Nations, although Northern Ireland is the exception.

"I think Germany should be up there, just behind the UK [Championship], but it’s not really gone anywhere, it’s stagnated a little bit. There should be a few changes to make a bit bigger than it is because the crowd over there deserve it.

"It’s a little bit disappointing because I feel like they could even hold the Tour Championship or something over there. The crowd deserve something bigger. It's excellent to have a tournament there, but the fans deserve a bigger, more prestigious event."

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