Stephen Hendry has backed calls from Neil Robertson to problem a ban to Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Stephen Hendry has joined calls to problem Ronnie O’Sullivan a ban. (Picture: Getty)
Seven-time world snooker champion Stephen Hendry has backed calls from Neil Robertson to ban the Triangle Chalk utilized by Ronnie O’Sullivan on the Crucible this 12 months. O’Sullivan stays one of many few professionals nonetheless utilizing the standard chalk, which critics worry causes kicks and leaves the desk in an untidy state.
O’Sullivan’s choice didn’t sit nicely with Australian ace Robertson, who voiced his aid at avoiding the Rocket throughout this 12 months’s World Championship. The problem got here into sharp focus when the 50-year-old confronted John Higgins within the second spherical, with Higgins finally profitable 13-12 to arrange a quarter-final conflict in opposition to Robertson.
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Throughout an episode of Stephen Hendry’s Cue Suggestions, the Scot responded to a query relating to the variety of miscues at this 12 months’s worlds. “That was one other massive speaking level, the chalk – chalk-gate,” he replied.
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Selecting up his personal chalk from the desk to attract a comparability, he continued: “Ronnie utilizing Triangle Chalk when everybody else is utilizing these things. Stops kicks, stops bounces, there is no marks on the fabric.
“Neil Robertson really known as for World Snooker to ban it, which I do not disagree with if I am trustworthy. I feel it spoils the sport as a spectacle.
“I do know John Higgins, when he was taking part in Ronnie, he was smiling rather a lot – form of wry smiles. [He was] consistently getting the cue ball cleaned, consistently wiping the desk.”
A World Snooker Tour spokesperson reiterated the stance that gamers have a free selection over the chalk they use. Nevertheless, Robertson, who misplaced 13-10 to Higgins, pulled no punches when outlining the problems he stated he and fellow execs have.
Neil Robertson led calls to ban Ronnie O’Sullivan’s chalk. (Picture: PA)
Robertson made his frustrations clear, telling BBC 4: “I would like to play John so I haven’t got to cope with the chalk that Ronnie makes use of, which ought to be banned from the sport. I do not understand how you’re allowed to even use it.
“All of the gamers hate it, it simply destroys it. You get kicks, bounces and it makes an absolute mess of the desk,” he stated after a spherical of 16 victory over Chris Wakelin.
“I do know he (O’Sullivan) is associates with [artist] Damien Hirst, but it surely’s like he’s making art work with the chalk everywhere in the fabric. I do not suppose he does it to place anybody off, he isn’t that method inclined in any respect. He’s about the one participant left on tour that makes use of that chalk – hopefully they create in a ban.”
The Rocket has now returned to motion on the Crucible, making his bow within the World Seniors Championship. The laws — which beforehand barred gamers ranked inside the highest 64 on the planet from participating — have been revised, opening the door for his participation.
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