2012/2013 season: extended break and fifth World Championship title Ronnie O'Sullivan

o sullivan after winning fifth world title

on 6 june, world professional billiards , snooker association released statement announcing o sullivan had not signed official players contract , therefore not eligible play in 2012/2013 world snooker event until did so. on same day o sullivan said found contract onerous , in stage of career did not wish make commitment. on 7 august announced had signed contract , playing in october s international championship , december s uk championship. after shanghai masters dropped out of top sixteen first time since entering in 1994/1995 season, ranked world number 17. o sullivan s return snooker short-lived, withdrew inaugural international championship due advice doctor not travel. on 6 november o sullivan announced had withdrawn every event had entered , not play remainder of season. however, on 26 february o sullivan announced during press conference return game , defend world championship title.

at crucible o sullivan defeated marcus campbell in last 32, ali carter in last 16, stuart bingham in quarter-finals. reached final without falling behind once, , defeated barry hawkins 18–12 win fifth world title. o sullivan s break of 103 in 15th frame 128th century break @ crucible theatre, breaking stephen hendry s record of 127 crucible centuries. during final extended record 131 century breaks. o sullivan became player score 6 century breaks in world championship final. became third player retain title @ crucible after steve davis , stephen hendry.

however, after title win, o sullivan refused definitively rule out title defence in 2014, saying in post-match interview love playing, playing in smaller events, , see goes on.