Ronnie O’Sullivan is set to make a comeback at the upcoming German Masters in January after a hiatus of nine years from the tournament. Known as “The Rocket,” O’Sullivan has not participated in the main stages of the event since 2017 but is now confirmed to compete for the £550,000 prize.
Having been absent or withdrawn from the tournament since his last appearance in Berlin nine years ago, O’Sullivan attempted to enter in 2022 but was defeated 5-0 by Hossein Vafaei in the qualifiers in Cannock, preventing him from reaching Germany.
The 50-year-old snooker legend will kick off his campaign against Haris Tahir, Zhao Hanyang, or Long Zehuang. He is one of the top 16 seeds, with Ding Junhui being the only notable absence from the draw, as indicated on the German Masters’ official website.
Scheduled to commence on January 26 at the Tempodrom in Berlin, the tournament will see Kyren Wilson defending his title after securing a thrilling 10-9 victory over Barry Hawkins in the final frame earlier this year.
Among the contenders, Judd Trump, who has clinched victory in three out of the last six editions, is expected to pose a strong challenge. Notable players like Mark Selby, Zhao Xintong, Mark Williams, Neil Robertson, Mark Allen, and Shaun Murphy are also part of the lineup for the German Masters.
O’Sullivan has a history of last-minute withdrawals from events, raising speculation about his appearance in 2026. The seven-time world champion withdrew from the British Open in September citing medical reasons, following a similar withdrawal from the Wuhan Open the previous month.
In early 2025, O’Sullivan opted out of the German Masters, the Masters, and matches in the Championship League to prioritize his mental well-being. Addressing his decisions, O’Sullivan expressed regret for disappointing fans and emphasized his commitment to improving his health and performance.
Currently ranked eighth globally, O’Sullivan has not secured a ranking event win in the ongoing 2025/26 season. He relocated from Essex to Dubai in November after marrying actress Laila Rouass in June, attributing the move to better manage his international commitments.
Moreover, Sky has introduced discounted rates for its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, offering savings of £336 and access to over 1,400 live matches, including Premier League and EFL games. The upcoming season will feature an increase in the number of live Premier League games broadcast by Sky, with a minimum of 215 matches set to be televised.
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