Ronnie O'Sullivan is set to make his competitive comeback at the German Masters in Berlin next week following a period of illness.
The seven-time world champion has been absent from the baize since suffering a first-round defeat to Zhou Yuelong at the UK Championship on 2 December in York.
That loss came just three days prior to O'Sullivan celebrating his 50th birthday.
The snooker legend, currently in his 34th professional season having turned pro in 1992, will be looking to kickstart his 2026 campaign at the prestigious ranking event held at Berlin's Tempodrom venue.
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O'Sullivan withdrew from the Masters at Alexandra Palace, citing medical grounds for his absence from the Triple Crown event.
The Rocket had been scheduled to take on Neil Robertson in the opening round of the prestigious tournament.
Sources close to the 50-year-old indicate he did not feel physically capable of returning immediately to elite-level competition.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is set to make his competitive comeback at the German Masters in Berlin next week following a period of illness
|PA
It is understood the Dubai-based player had been suffering from illness and was experiencing fatigue in the days leading up to the event at Ally Pally.
Despite practising with two professional players at an Irish pub in recent days, he felt too drained to compete at the highest level, according to The Sun.
The snooker icon, who now resides in Dubai, had been honing his game in Ireland ahead of his anticipated return to tournament play.
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Five quirky facts about snooker | PAO'Sullivan is now on the mend, however, and fully intends to participate in the Berlin event next week.
The Tempodrom will host the ranking tournament, with the final scheduled for Sunday, 1 February.
Those close to the player have confirmed his health is improving sufficiently to allow him to compete at the German Masters, marking what would be his first competitive appearance in nearly two months since the York defeat.
O'Sullivan enters the draw as the ninth seed and must first navigate a heldover qualifying match against Chinese player Long Zehuang.
The victor of that encounter will progress to face Ali Carter in the first round proper.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is yet to play snooker since turning 50
|PA
The tournament offers substantial financial reward, with the eventual champion set to collect £100,000 in prize money when the final concludes on the evening of 1 February.
How he fares remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, with O'Sullivan missing the Masters, Kyren Wilson secured glory.
The 34-year-old defeated John Higgins at Ally Pally to etch his name into the history books.