A few of the largest names in snooker have waded into the long-running debate over the best of all time.
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry are stuffed with respect for one another (Picture: Getty)
The talk over who’s the best snooker participant of all time is one which by no means loses its enchantment. On the coronary heart of that dialog sit two legends: Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry.
Between them, the pair boast 14 world titles, after the Rocket drew stage with Hendry on seven by clinching the highest prize on the Crucible in 2022. O’Sullivan will quickly embark on his bid to safe a record-breaking eighth world title when the 2026 event will get underway this weekend. The pair got here head to head once more final weekend on the John Virgo Trophy in Eire, with the Rocket romping to a 6-1 victory. The match, contested below the fast-paced Snooker 900 format, must be seen in context as Hendry formally hung up his cue for the second time two years in the past following a disappointing comeback, whereas O’Sullivan continues to compete on the highest stage, albeit on a selective foundation. This is a have a look at what a few of their rivals make of the best of all time debate…
O’Sullivan added yet one more exceptional milestone to his illustrious profession on the World Open, the place he compiled a surprising 153 break – the best ever recorded in skilled snooker – after capitalising on a free ball throughout his quarter-final victory over Ryan Day.
Following the match, 2010 world champion Neil Robertson took to social media to firmly again the Rocket. He wrote: “The most effective ever and the very best there ever will likely be. Snooker followers, I hope you have cherished him through the years within the pleasure he is dropped at thousands and thousands over 4 a long time.”
O’Sullivan’s seventh world title solidified his standing as the best of all time, in line with fellow ‘Class of 92’ member John Higgins. Talking forward of the 2022 world ultimate, which noticed the Rocket beat Judd Trump, the four-time world champion mentioned: “I believe it could cement his place as the very best in everyone’s eyes.
“I believe lots of people would nonetheless maintain on to Stephen having the seven World Championships and he’s the best, however there is no such thing as a debate in my eyes.”
Neil Robertson is a large fan of Ronnie O’Sullivan (Picture: Getty)
Mark Williams
The opposite ‘Class of 92’ member, Mark Williams, sees a broader pool of contenders for the title of snooker’s GOAT. Talking earlier this 12 months, Williams introduced present world primary Trump into the dialog, suggesting he may surpass Hendry ought to he declare a second Crucible crown.
The Welsh Potting Machine mentioned: “He is [Trump] acquired to be within the prime 4 or 5 simply. I believe if something’s lacking, it is one other World [Championship].
“I’ve at all times put Ronnie [O’Sullivan], Higgins and Hendry there. I believe if he wins yet another World, I might put him in entrance of Hendry.
“I believe for him to be up there with O’Sullivan and John and Stephen, he must win no less than yet another. And [Mark] Selby [a four-time world champion], you have to win one other World to simply creep up previous him.”
Mark Williams has given his verdict on the best of all time (Picture: Justin Setterfield/Getty Pictures)
The lads themselves
O’Sullivan and Hendry lavished reward upon each other following their semi-final conflict on the John Virgo Trophy. The Rocket mentioned: “Stephen, for me, is the best participant I’ve ever seen, ever performed.
“He does not play a lot lately, so for him to get his cue out of his case is a privilege. His center pocket potting remains to be unbelievable. It took me again years in the past. There was no weak point. His center pocket potting remains to be unbelievable. To be on the identical desk as him is a privilege.”
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Hendry reciprocated the praise, saying: “You’ll be able to’t get increased reward from a greater participant. Ronnie is clearly the GOAT. When it comes to break-building and cue ball management, he is taken the sport to a stage that I assumed we’d by no means see.
“He is an artist with the cue ball. That is the great thing about snooker in controlling the cue ball and no person has carried out it higher than Ronnie.”
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