Ronnie O’Sullivan has confirmed his participation in the upcoming German Masters in January, marking his return to the event after a hiatus of nine years. Known as “The Rocket,” O’Sullivan has been absent from the tournament’s main stages since 2017 but is now set to compete for the £550,000 prize.
Having refrained from entering or withdrawing since his last appearance in Berlin nine years ago, O’Sullivan made an unsuccessful attempt in 2022, losing 5-0 to Hossein Vafaei during the qualifying round 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. He is seeded among the top 16 players, with Ding Junhui being the only notable absence from the draw, as confirmed on the German Masters’ official website.
The prestigious tournament is scheduled to commence on January 26 at the Tempodrom in Berlin, with Kyren Wilson returning as the defending champion after his thrilling 10-9 victory over Barry Hawkins earlier this year. Notable contenders such as Judd Trump, Mark Selby, and Neil Robertson will also be vying for the title.
Despite O’Sullivan’s history of last-minute withdrawals from events, fans are eagerly anticipating his appearance in 2026. The seven-time world champion withdrew from the British Open in September and the Wuhan Open the previous month due to health issues.
Ranked eighth globally, O’Sullivan has yet to secure a ranking event win this season. Following his marriage to actress Laila Rouass in June, he relocated from Essex to Dubai in November to cope with jet lag issues from frequent travel to the Middle East and China.
In other news, Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to include popular streaming platforms like HBO Max, Netflix, and Disney+, in addition to offering comprehensive coverage of the Premier League, EFL, Formula 1, darts, and golf. With over 1,400 live matches broadcasted, Sky remains a prominent source for sports enthusiasts.
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