Ronnie O'Sullivan to return to snooker and defend his world title O'Sullivan ended his self-imposed exile from the game this afternoon just two days before the deadline for entries to this year's World Championship. The 37-year-old announced in November he would not play again this season due to health and personal problems but it was confirmed in a statement read out at a press conference: "Ronnie is pleased to announce that he is returning to professional snooker and will defend his title at the World Championship." O'Sullivan himself added: "I was never out of juice anyway. Snooker I don't find difficult mentally or physically. I just needed to take time out for various other things. I always had it at the back of my mind that I probably would have to come back and play snooker. I've probably played three or four exhibitions. I've probably played 10 days in nine months. I'm very match rusty. I've not played any matches. It's going to be a tough call to go in there with no match practice behind me.