Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan could make a dramatic return at the World Championship in Sheffield despite not having played competitively for almost four months.
The seven-time world champion has been absent from the professional circuit since December.
Fans have been left wondering whether the 'Rocket' will appear at the Crucible to chase a record-breaking eighth world title.
Snooker MC Phil Seymour has revealed that O'Sullivan has been practicing regularly behind the scenes.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has been absent from recent snooker tournaments as the 2025 World Championship creeps closerPAThe uncertainty around his participation looks set to continue, with Seymour suggesting fans might have to wait until the eleventh hour to know if O'Sullivan will compete.
Speaking exclusively to Record Sport, Seymour said: "If Ronnie is there then he is there to win that's all you can say about it. Do I think he will be there? I have no idea."
Seymour, who hosts the Onefourseven podcast with Masters champion Shaun Murphy, revealed: "I've heard from a couple of guys who do TV coverage that when they are covering tournaments, Ronnie is at the practice table all the time and I don't doubt that for a second."
The uncertainty remains palpable in snooker circles.
"It wouldn't surprise me if he plays and wins it but it wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't turn up," Seymour added.
O'Sullivan's potential return is fuelled by his desire to surpass Stephen Hendry's record of seven world titles.
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"He has eight Masters, eight UK Championships and seven Worlds. He will want to beat Stephen Hendry's record," Seymour explained.
A victory at the Crucible would be particularly remarkable given his extended absence.
"There's no question he is the greatest, even Stephen Hendry acknowledges that. But if Ronnie was to come back and win in Sheffield that would be one of the greatest achievements," said Seymour.
The snooker MC pointed to precedent for such a comeback.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan appears to be preparing for the upcoming World Championship
PA"Over 10 years ago, he took 12 months off and won the Worlds so there's everything to say he can do it. It would be an incredible achievement if he won it."
O'Sullivan's last competitive appearance ended dramatically when he reportedly broke his cue and left it in a bin during the Championship League in Leicester.
His withdrawal from tournaments has sparked retirement fears among fans.
The Rocket pulled out of a Masters clash with John Higgins just a day before the match was scheduled.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan has pulled out of several tournaments this seasonPAHe subsequently cancelled planned returns at both the Welsh Open and World Grand Prix.
O'Sullivan explained his absence in January, saying: "I've obviously been on this three-week trip (playing exhibition events in Asia), away playing, and I think I just exhausted myself."
He added: "I lost the plot and snapped my cue so that's unplayable, so I just knew at that moment in time, the right decision was not to play."
