RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has been tipped to pull off one of sport’s all-time great comebacks – by winning next month’s World Championship.
Snooker’s seven-time Crucible king, 49, has withdrawn from a string of recent tournaments and admitted to faltering form.
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But 1985 world champ Dennis Taylor reckons the Rocket would be the favourite to win again… IF he decided to compete.
O’Sullivan has not won a ranking title since the World Grand Prix in January 2024.
He’s missed events this year due to medical issues and other matters.
And he’s openly questioned whether he can reverse what sees as a decline in his performances over the past couple of years.
That frustration appeared to peak when O’Sullivan smashed his cue during the Championship League in January.
But he’s revealed he’ll take part in a Q&A and a practice session in Saudi Arabia on April 8.
And it’s understood O’Sullivan has been practicing hard with a cue he is finally happy with.
And Taylor believes the player he rates as the best ever can surpass Stephen Hendry by lifting a record eighth crown.
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The Northern Irishman, 76, told Betway: “‘It’s difficult to pick but if Ronnie plays, I’m still going to have him as favourite.
“It would be a hell of a thing to do but the talent he has, you can’t put past him.
“If you look at this year, there are so many different winners so there is no reason why Ronnie can’t come back and win the world title.
“I wouldn’t be surprised but what an achievement it would be. Maybe that is a motivation in the back of his mind.
‘I believe there are still a lot of years left in Ronnie, it’s whether he can sort his problems away from the table out, that’s the thing.
“He’s head and shoulders above anyone who has played the game.”
But Taylor accepts months without a competitive match will make it extra hard for O’Sullivan.
He said: “The only thing is he won’t be match fit. He proved it the last time when he came back and won it so you can’t count it out.”
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