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 event since 2017 but is now confirmed to compete for the £550,000 prize.
Having been absent from the tournament since his last appearance in Berlin nine years ago, O’Sullivan attempted to qualify for the 2022 event but was defeated 5-0 by Hossein Vafaei in Cannock, preventing his journey to Germany.
The 50-year-old will kick off his campaign against Haris Tahir, Zhao Hanyang, or Long Zehuang. Included in the top 16 seeds, O’Sullivan is one of the notable entrants, with Ding Junhui being the only seed missing from the lineup, as announced 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 after an exciting 10-9 victory against Barry Hawkins earlier this year.
Among the contenders, Judd Trump, with three wins in the last six editions, is also eyeing success at the German Masters. The draw features top players like Wilson, Trump, Mark Selby, Zhao Xintong, Mark Williams, Neil Robertson, Mark Allen, and Shaun Murphy.
O’Sullivan, known for last-minute withdrawals, has a history of unpredictable decisions, leaving fans speculating about his appearance in 2026. The seven-time world champion recently withdrew from the British Open citing “medical reasons” and had also pulled out of the Wuhan Open earlier.
In the past, O’Sullivan opted out of the German Masters, the Masters, and Championship League matches at the beginning of 2025 to prioritize his mental well-being. Expressing regret for disappointing fans with his withdrawals, O’Sullivan emphasized his commitment to regaining top form with the support of his followers.
Ranked eighth globally, O’Sullivan has yet to secure a ranking event win in the current 2025/26 season. Following his marriage to actress Laila Rouass in June, O’Sullivan relocated from Essex to Dubai in November to manage his international work commitments more effectively.
Sky has announced a reduced price for its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the new season, offering substantial savings and over 1,400 live matches, including Premier League and EFL games. Additionally, Sky will broadcast a minimum of 215 live Premier League matches next season, a significant increase from previous seasons.