When does snooker GOAT O'Sullivan return to action?

Ronnie O’Sullivan is set for a short break away from the green baize before he returns to action at the prestigious Shanghai Masters in July.

“I’m contracted to play in certain events, to do certain exhibition events in China so I’ll fulfil all of those commitments because obviously they get prioritised,” O’Sullivan told Eurosport in Sheffield.

“And then if I’ve got time to fit in some other bits I will, but I like my life, I like to spend some time at home. I’ve got quite a good year, I look at my calendar and I’m excited.”

He is due to play his first competitive match as world champion when he faces Ryan Day at the Helsinki International Snooker Cup on Saturday May 25 with Brecel, Bingham, Judd Trump, Robert Milkins, Jimmy White and Jack Lisowski also competing in the Finnish capital.

Qualifiers for the Xi’an Grand Prix, English Open and Saudi Masters will all take place in Leicester after the Shanghai Masters in July and early August, before the tour returns to China for the inaugural Xi’an Grand Prix pencilled in between August 19-25.