Ronnie O’Sullivan is set to make a comeback at the upcoming German Masters in January after a hiatus of nine years from the event. Popularly known as “The Rocket,” O’Sullivan, a seven-time world champion, has been absent from the tournament’s main stages since 2017 but is now listed as a participant in the draw for the £550,000 prize.
Having not taken part or withdrawn from the event since his last appearance in Berlin nine years ago, O’Sullivan made an attempt to enter in 2022 but was defeated 5-0 by Hossein Vafaei in the qualifying rounds in Cannock, preventing him from progressing to Germany.
The 50-year-old snooker legend will kick off his campaign against either Haris Tahir, Zhao Hanyang, or Long Zehuang. He is among the top 16 seeds in the competition, with Ding Junhui being the only notable absence from the draw, which has been officially released on the German Masters’ website.
The highly anticipated tournament is scheduled to commence 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 in the deciding frame earlier this year.
Notable contenders like Judd Trump, who has emerged victorious in three of the last six editions, along with other prominent players including Mark Selby, Zhao Xintong, Mark Williams, Neil Robertson, Mark Allen, and Shaun Murphy, are also vying for success at the German Masters.
O’Sullivan, known for his sporadic withdrawals from events, has left fans speculating about his participation in the 2026 edition. In recent times, he pulled out of the British Open in September citing “medical reasons” and also opted out of the Wuhan Open the month before.
Reflecting on his prioritization of mental health, O’Sullivan withdrew from the German Masters, the Masters, and Championship League matches at the beginning of 2025, emphasizing the importance of his well-being and apologizing to fans for any disappointment caused by his absence from events.
Ranked eighth globally, O’Sullivan has yet to secure a ranking event victory in the ongoing 2025/26 season. Following his marriage to former EastEnders actress Laila Rouass in June, he relocated from Essex to Dubai in November, citing challenges with jet lag due to frequent travel for work commitments in the Middle East and China.
For fans eager to catch upcoming snooker action, Sky has introduced discounted rates for its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, offering substantial savings and over 1,400 live matches across various leagues, including the Premier League and EFL. Additionally, Sky will broadcast a minimum of 215 live Premier League games next season, a significant increase from previous seasons.