London, Sep 27 (IANS): Four-time World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has slipped to 17th in the world snooker rankings, a first since he entered the game's elite 19 years ago.
O'Sullivan, who won his fourth World title in Sheffield last May, missed the Shanghai Masters, the Australian Open and the Wuxi Classic, Xinhua reports.
Mark Selby becomes World No.1 and Judd Trump and John Higgins are ranked second and third respectively. China's Ding Junhui is ranked 13th.
The 36-year-old O'Sullivan had agreed to a players' contract in August and is set to feature at the inaugural International Championships in Chengdu, southwest China next month.