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, who has been absent from the event’s main stages since 2017, is now part of the draw competing for the £550,000 prize.
Having not participated in the tournament since his last appearance in Berlin nine years ago, O’Sullivan tried to enter in 2022 but was defeated 5-0 by Hossein Vafaei in the qualifying rounds in Cannock, preventing his journey to Germany.
The 50-year-old snooker legend will kick off his campaign against Haris Tahir, Zhao Hanyang, or Long Zehuang. Notably, O’Sullivan is seeded among the top 16 players, with only Ding Junhui missing from the draw, which has been unveiled on the German Masters’ official website.
Scheduled to commence on January 26 at the Tempodrom in Berlin, the tournament will witness Kyren Wilson defending his title, having clinched a thrilling 10-9 victory over Barry Hawkins earlier this year. In the upcoming event, contenders like Judd Trump, Mark Selby, Zhao Xintong, Mark Williams, Neil Robertson, Mark Allen, and Shaun Murphy will also be vying for the prestigious title.
Despite his recent withdrawals from events citing health concerns, O’Sullivan’s fans eagerly anticipate his appearance in the 2026 season. The seven-time world champion withdrew from the British Open in September due to medical reasons and skipped the Wuhan Open the previous month.
In the past, O’Sullivan has withdrawn from events like the German Masters, the Masters, and Championship League matches to prioritize his mental well-being. Addressing his decisions, O’Sullivan expressed remorse for disappointing fans and emphasized his focus on regaining top form with their unwavering support.
Ranked eighth globally, O’Sullivan has yet to secure a ranking event victory in the ongoing 2025/26 season. Following his marriage to actress Laila Rouass in June, O’Sullivan relocated from Essex to Dubai in November, citing challenges with jet lag in his previous work travels to the Middle East and China.
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