When will Ronnie O’Sullivan return to competitive snooker? That is a question on the lips of fans of the sport. There has been no word as to whether he will make a playing return at the World Open, but Eurosport expert Jimmy White has said the seven-time world champion has a cue he is happy with. White feels that match sharpness will help O’Sullivan ahead of the World Championship.
Jimmy White has suggested Ronnie O’Sullivan has found a cue he is happy with, and would like to see the seven-time world champion get some matches under his belt before he returns to the Crucible.
O’Sullivan has not played in a ranking event since losing in the first round of the UK Championship in November.
He took part in the Championship League invitational in January, but withdrew with one match remaining after snapping his cue.
He subsequently pulled out of the Masters, German Masters and was a late absentee from the Welsh Open.
O’Sullivan is slated to play in the World Open in China, which begins on February 23, but there has been no confirmation about whether he will be involved.
The Rocket took to social media to apologise for pulling out of events, saying it was to protect his mental health and that he was working hard on making a return to the table.
White is a friend of O’Sullivan’s and while he had no news about a possible return date, he has heard that a new cue is in play.
“He needs some match practice before the World Championship,” White said in the Eurosport studio at the Welsh Open. “He needs to get amongst it.
“I have heard he has a good cue he is happy with, [but] I am only hearing whispers.”
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While White feels match sharpness would aid O’Sullivan, he pointed out that the 49-year-old famously defended the World Championship in 2013 after not playing for 12 months after his victory in 2012.
“He needs to be playing some tournaments to get some match practice under his belt,” White continued.
“Saying that, do you remember when he did not play for a year, and then he came and won the World Championship?
“So as long as he is playing he has every chance.”
