Ronnie O’Sullivan is set to make a comeback at the upcoming German Masters tournament in January after a hiatus of nine years. Known as “The Rocket,” O’Sullivan hasn’t participated in the event since 2017 but is now confirmed to compete for the prize money of £550,000.
Having not taken part in the tournament since his last appearance in Berlin nine years ago, O’Sullivan attempted to qualify in 2022 but was defeated 5-0 by Hossein Vafaei. The 50-year-old snooker legend is slated to face Haris Tahir, Zhao Hanyang, or Long Zehuang in his first match as one of the top 16 seeds, with only Ding Junhui missing from the draw, which is accessible on the German Masters’ official website.
The German Masters is scheduled to kick off on January 26 at the Tempodrom in Berlin, with Kyren Wilson entering as the defending champion following his thrilling 10-9 victory over Barry Hawkins earlier this year. Players like Judd Trump, Mark Selby, Zhao Xintong, and others are also in contention for the title.
O’Sullivan, who is currently ranked eighth globally, has been known to withdraw from events unexpectedly due to health reasons, as seen in his recent absence from the British Open. Despite facing uncertainties, O’Sullivan remains determined to showcase his best performance on the snooker circuit.
Having relocated from Essex to Dubai after his marriage to actress Laila Rouass, O’Sullivan is adapting to new surroundings to enhance his game. Sky has also upgraded its TV and sports bundle to include popular streaming services, offering comprehensive coverage of various sports leagues and events for viewers.