Is Ronnie O’Sullivan playing at the World Snooker Championship and has he retired?

The seven-time world champion’s participation is in doubt

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s participation is uncertain (Getty Images)

Ronnie O’Sullivan participation in the 2025 World Snooker Championship is uncertain with the 49-year-old set to make a late decision on playing in the tournament.

O’Sullivan has withdrawn from a number of events, including the Masters, this year as he prioritises his health and well being.

A seven-time world champion, a 33rd consecutive appearance is looming for O’Sullivan at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre if he chooses to compete.

O’Sullivan has indicated that he will make a decision either two days or 24 hours out from the beginning of the championship.

“I don't know yet," O’Sullivan admitted recently to TNT Sports about his World Championship participation. "I haven't made my mind up, I'll probably make a decision on maybe the 17th or 18th of April.

“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.

"I just need to give myself as much time as possible to see where I'm at with it, and see whether it's something I'm going to be able to do."

O’Sullivan needs one more world title win to take the record outright from Stephen Hendry, who shares his current tally, and match his number of wins at the other two Triple Crown events: the Masters and the UK Championship.

“The Rocket” won the first of his world titles in 2001 before drawing level with Hendry’s collection with a seventh crown in 2022. He already holds the most Triple Crown titles of any player with 23 across his career, though has not necessarily enjoyed his recent time on the baize.

"It's been a real struggle," O'Sullivan said of his recent experiences within the sport. "I've tried to play my way through. I've had moments and glimpses where I thought, 'OK, this is OK'. But on the whole, probably three and a half years out of the last four have been pretty terrible for me, and that's kind of took its toll.”