Former world champion Luca Brecel has not shown up to a qualifying match for the Scottish Open.
Health problems have forced him to not show for the match, eliminating him from the December tournament. The 30-year-old Belgian failed to appear for Friday's match against Steven Hallworth in Wigan.
This latest withdrawal continues a troubling pattern for Brecel, who has been grappling with a mysterious medical condition that has disrupted his competitive schedule throughout the year. The world No 36 has made only intermittent appearances on the professional tour over recent months.
The Scottish Open represents another significant tournament that Brecel will miss as he continues to struggle with the undiagnosed illness that has plagued him since April.
Luca Brecel failed to show up for his qualifying match for the Scottish Open
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Since April, the Belgian player has been absent from numerous high-profile events. He pulled out of the Saudi Arabia Masters and failed to attend the Wuhan Open earlier in the season.
British Open qualifying also proceeded without him. When Brecel did attempt to compete at the Xi'an Grand Prix qualifiers in early September, he managed just two frames before withdrawing from his match with Sunny Akani.
A brief resurgence came at September's English Open, where he demonstrated his enduring skill by advancing to the quarter-finals. His run ended in a narrow 5-4 defeat to Chinese player Zhou Yuelong.
These sporadic appearances have characterised Brecel's troubled year on the professional circuit.
Following the English Open, Brecel spoke candidly about his medical struggles.
"There must be something wrong. But [doctors] cannot find anything," he told The Sun.
Luca Brecel has fallen to 36th in the world rankings
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The former world champion revealed that physicians remain baffled by his condition despite ongoing investigations.
"All of a sudden it happened and no-one knows what it is. Still trying to figure it out, I've still got scans to do. It's my body doing strange things," he explained.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his health, Brecel expressed gratitude for being able to compete when his condition permits.
"I have to deal with it. At least I can play again. I'm happy to be at the table," he said.
Uncertainty now surrounds Brecel's participation in Tuesday's Northern Ireland Open, where he is scheduled to face Scotland's Stephen Maguire in the first round. Given his recent pattern of withdrawals and the unpredictable nature of his medical condition, there are genuine concerns about whether he will be able to compete.
The Belgian's erratic health has made tournament appearances increasingly difficult to predict, leaving organisers and opponents uncertain about his availability.
Luca Brecel is scheduled to return on Tuesday at the Northern Ireland Open
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His struggles have seen him drop to 36th in the world rankings, a significant fall for a player who claimed snooker's most prestigious title just two years ago.
Tuesday's match against Maguire will serve as the next test of whether Brecel's mysterious ailment will permit him to continue competing at professional level.