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Stephen Hendry snubs World Seniors Championship and refuses to affix Ronnie O’Sullivan

Snooker icon Stephen Hendry has made his ideas clear on competing on the World Seniors Championship.

Stephen Hendry has spoken concerning the World Seniors Championship (Picture: Tai Chengzhe/VCG by way of Getty Photos)

Snooker legend Stephen Hendry has admitted he has no plans to compete on the World Seniors Championship. The 57-year-old has featured within the match on six earlier events however snubbed the potential for coming into once more.

Hendry is likely one of the sport’s all-time greats, having gained seven World Snooker Championship titles, a report he shares with Ronnie O’Sullivan. The latter has captured consideration by coming into the senior occasion for the primary time. The inclusion of O’Sullivan and different iconic names has helped increase curiosity within the match, which received underway on Wednesday. Nonetheless, Hendry made it clear that he’s not tempted to return to the World Senior Championship as a participant, although he’s intrigued to see how O’Sullivan performs.

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Throughout a dwell stream on his Stephen Hendry’s Cue Suggestions YouTube channel, the snooker icon was requested if he had paid consideration to the sooner rounds: “No, I’ve not been watching it.”

In response as to if he would enter the World Seniors Championship sooner or later, Hendry mentioned: “No, I doubt I’ll play in it once more. I’m too busy doing this and I don’t actually wish to practise anyway.

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“I’m to observe it. Clearly, Ronnie’s enjoying this yr, which is sort of unimaginable. So, a small curiosity in how he’s going to do.”

Hendry most lately entered the match in 2023, dropping to Alfie Burden within the quarter-finals. He reached the semi-finals in 2013 and 2020 however didn’t transcend that stage in his six appearances on the senior occasion.

O’Sullivan was drawn towards Ken Doherty within the second spherical for his match debut. ‘The Rocket’ returned to the Crucible shortly after dropping to John Higgins on the similar stage of the World Snooker Championship.

Ronnie O’Sullivan has entered the World Seniors Championship for the primary time (Picture: Tai Chengzhe/VCG by way of Getty Photos)

Ali Carter and Matthew Stevens are among the many gamers to have already booked their place within the senior quarter-finals. Defending champion Burden has exited the competitors, lacking out on the £30,000 high prize.

World Seniors Snooker chairman Jason Francis has spoken about how O’Sullivan’s option to compete may also help elevate the occasion. “Taking part in within the Seniors won’t ever be a industrial resolution for Ronnie,” Francis advised the Mirror. “We’re not at that stage but, though I hope we shall be someday.

“Ronnie being within the occasion elevates all the things about it. All of the gamers I’ve spoken to, they are not considering, ‘Ronnie’s within the subject now, that is yet another participant I’ve received to beat.’ It is, ‘Oh my god, think about if I get to play Ronnie dwell on Channel 5 within the World Seniors.’ They wish to play him.”

He added: “If the likes of Ronnie and Ali Carter can convey further profile to the Seniors – the cash on provide is not going to alter their lives – however the notion of the tour and what it means to lower-ranked gamers and amateurs is immeasurable.”

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