Ronnie O'Sullivan drops return hint ahead of World Championship after snooker absence

Ronnie O'Sullivan has said before deciding whether to participate in the 2025 , but hinted at a return on Thursday. The seven-time champion shared a video from Riyadh, where he has been back at the table as he prepares to make a final call on his Crucible involvement.

The veteran had been due to return to action at the Welsh Open in February, . He hasn't played a competitive match since a frustrating Championship League, when .

"Another brilliant day at the @RSA_RIYADH out here in Riyadh," wrote in his video caption. "Played a few frames against some exciting emerging talent and it felt really good to be back out on the table."

Fans made their feelings clear on social media after the 49-year-old's update, which comes a little over a week before the worlds get underway. "Back in the UK would be better mate," wrote one, while another wondered aloud whether it was a hint about a Crucible appearance.

"Get your head right, wanna see you playing whilst you can," wrote a third. "That gift you've got won't last forever and it really is magical."

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

In early April, O'Sullivan explained his last-minute plan in more detail. “I don’t know yet. I haven’t made my mind up, I’ll probably make a decision on maybe the 17th or 18th of April," he told TNT Sports.

“I don’t know when I’m due to play my first match, so I’m going to try and leave myself as much time as possible. I’d love to be able to go there and play, I’d love to be able to have the confidence to be able to get my cue out and go and play snooker."

O'Sullivan reached the quarter-finals of the 2024 World Championships, losing 13-10 to Stuart Bingham. He won the most recent of his seven world titles in 2022, while his most recent ranking title came more than a year ago at the 2024 World Grand Prix.

In the lead-up to the tournament, if he competes at the Crucible, despite a lack of match practice. "I remember when O'Sullivan didn't play for one year, and he came back and he won the World Championship. He beat Marcus Campbell in the first round," White said.

"The first three or four frames, he should have lost them all, but Marcus Campbell didn't capitalise on it, and O'Sullivan managed to beat him and went on to win the World Championship.

"He is the best player that's ever played our game. He's like a winning machine. He's entered the World Championship. I heard through the grapevine that he's been practising, so you can just never write Ronnie O'Sullivan off."