Ronnie O'Sullivan will deny women's world No 1 Mink Nutcharut a 'dream' match next month if he continues his hiatus from the sport.
The seven-time world champion has taken a break from competitive tournaments after his surprise loss to He Guoqjang at the English Open last month.
He was scheduled to compete at the British Open and Wuhan Open, however pulled out of both tournaments.
His withdrawal from the Wuhan Open was due to 'medical reasons' and it's been suggested he will also pull out of the Northern Ireland Open.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is expected to return next month
PAThe draw has already been made for the Belfast tournament with O'Sullivan scheduled to face China's Long Zehuang in the first round.
O'Sullivan's likely return could come at the International Championship next month, where he would make history in the first round.
The 'Rocket' has been drawn to face Nutcharut, which would be the first time he plays against a female snooker star in a competitive tournament.
The Thailand snooker star finished top of the women's world rankings last season and was given a two-year professional tour card.
She recorded her first-ever World Snooker Tour win at the Saudi Arabia Masters this summer when she beat Kusia Hamed.
Speaking two years ago, Nutcharut revealed playing against O'Sullivan would be the ultimate dream in her professional career.
"A dream is to play with Ronnie in competition," she said back in 2022.
"I want to know how I feel and if I can play well against him or not.
Mink Nutcharut won her first World Snooker Tour match in Saudi Arabia this summerGETTY"My favourite was Ronnie, he’s the best. I like style of Mark Selby, he’s too smart…and handsome.
"But I think the first one is Ronnie because he’s a god in snooker."
However, O'Sullivan's participation in the event, which begins on November 3, remains uncertain while he continues to stay away from tournaments.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan has not played since losing to He Guoqjang at the English Open
InstagramThere is an expectation that O'Sullivan will return to action soon in time to build up some momentum ahead of the UK Championship at the end of next month.
O'Sullivan is the defending champion after defeating Ding Junhui in last year's final.
But the 48-year-old is clearly not happy with where his game is at heading into the winter period.