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 been absent from the main stages of the event since 2017 but is now listed to compete for the £550,000 prize.
Having refrained from participating or withdrawing from the tournament since his last appearance in Berlin nine years ago, O’Sullivan recently entered the 2022 edition but was defeated 5-0 by Hossein Vafaei during the qualifying round in Cannock, preventing his journey to Germany.
The 50-year-old will kick off his matches against Haris Tahir, Zhao Hanyang, or Long Zehuang. As one of the top 16 seeds, O’Sullivan is part of the draw, with Ding Junhui being the only notable absence, as stated on the German Masters’ official website.
The prestigious competition is slated to commence on January 26 at the Tempodrom in Berlin. Kyren Wilson, the defending champion, clinched victory by defeating Barry Hawkins 10-9 in a gripping final frame earlier this year.
Anticipating a strong performance are players like Judd Trump, who has emerged victorious in three out of the last six editions. Notable contenders including Wilson, Trump, Mark Selby, Zhao Xintong, Mark Williams, Neil Robertson, Mark Allen, and Shaun Murphy are all confirmed participants in the upcoming German Masters.
O’Sullivan has a track record of last-minute withdrawals from events, leaving fans uncertain about his appearance in 2026. The seven-time world champion withdrew from the British Open in September citing “medical reasons” after pulling out of the Wuhan Open the month before.
In early 2025, O’Sullivan opted out of the German Masters, the Masters, and Championship League matches to prioritize his mental well-being, stating, “I’ve been trying to prioritize my health and well-being, which sometimes means making last-minute decisions not to play.”
Currently ranked eighth globally, O’Sullivan has yet to secure a ranking event win in the ongoing 2025/26 season. Following his marriage to former EastEnders actress Laila Rouass in June, O’Sullivan relocated from Essex to Dubai in November due to work commitments in the Middle East and China.
Meanwhile, Sky has introduced discounted rates for its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, offering savings of £336 and access to over 1,400 live matches covering the Premier League, EFL, and more. With a commitment to broadcasting at least 215 live Premier League games annually, Sky also features Formula 1, darts, golf, and various other sports content.