Ronnie O’Sullivan’s name has appeared in the draw for the German Masters, sparking hope for a rare return to the popular tournament. It’s been seven years since “The Rocket” graced the main stages in Berlin, a city eager to witness his brilliance once more.
His last appearance in Berlin, in 2017, ended in a last-32 defeat to Mark King. A brief qualifying round appearance in 2022 resulted in a 5-0 loss to Hossein Vafaei, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his participation in recent years.
Despite a history of entering and then withdrawing, O’Sullivan is among the top 16 seeds who bypass the initial qualifying rounds. This placement directly transports him to the Tempodrom in Berlin, fueling anticipation among German fans.
O’Sullivan’s potential opening match pits him against Haris Tahir, Zhao Hanyang, or Long Zehuang. The draw is missing only one player from the world’s top 16 – Ding Junhui – with Chris Wakelin taking his place as the 17th ranked player.
While excitement is building, fans remain cautiously optimistic, remembering past instances of O’Sullivan’s late withdrawals. His history with the event is, however, surprisingly strong.
Before it became the German Masters, O’Sullivan claimed victory at the German Open in Osnabruck in 1996. He later added a German Masters title to his collection in 2012, demonstrating a clear affinity for success in Germany.
Last year’s tournament saw Kyren Wilson lift the trophy, narrowly defeating Barry Hawkins 10-9 in a thrilling final. It was Wilson’s second German Masters title, cementing his status as a formidable competitor.
Judd Trump also boasts an impressive record in this event, having secured three victories in the last six editions. He’ll be looking to add to his tally this year, facing Cheung Ka Wai, Ng On Yee, or David Lilley in his opening match.
The tournament draw is packed with talent, including Mark Selby, Zhao Xintong, Mark Williams, Neil Robertson, Mark Allen, and Shaun Murphy. Each player will be eager to build on their successes from the current season.
The qualifying rounds will unfold in Sheffield from January 5th to 8th, determining the final lineup for the main event. The Tempodrom in Berlin will then host the prestigious tournament from January 26th to February 1st.
