Ronnie O’Sullivan levelled Stephen Hendry’s record of seven world titles with an 18-13 victory over Judd Trump in the 2022 Crucible final, but Hendry feels an eighth title triumph by Rocket Ronnie this year would be the “greatest achievement” in the modern history of the sport. 41-time ranking event winner O’Sullivan is due to face old Essex rival Ali Carter in his tournament opener on Tuesday.
Ronnie O’Sullivan returning with a new cue to win an eighth world title after a three-month absence would be the greatest achievement in snooker history, according to fellow seven-time champion Stephen Hendry.
O’Sullivan smashed up his old cue during the invitational Championship League amid frustration with his form in early January, prompting a self-enforced three-month absence from the sport that saw him sit out the defence of his Masters title.
He has not played a competitive game in a ranking event since the UK Championship in November, but has told TNT Sports he is relishing the chance to compete at the Crucible for a record 33rd straight year.
Despite tipping Mark Selby as his favourite to claim a fifth world title this year, Hendry feels O’Sullivan will be “sharp” as he bids to become the most prolific winner of the modern era.
“I’ve not changed my opinion on the winner,” said Hendry on the World Snooker Tour podcast. “I think Selby’s game at the moment is in top shape. The elephant in the room is obviously Ronnie O’Sullivan.
“What sort of state is his game in? I would suggest he’d be pretty sharp.
“It would be a big ask, but on top of winning the eighth, it would probably be the greatest achievement the game has ever seen.”
Snooker GOAT O’Sullivan has landed fierce Essex rival Ali Carter in the first round, with O’Sullivan twice defeating Carter in the final in 2008 (18-8) and 2012 (18-11).
Carter’s only win over O’Sullivan in 21 career meetings came in a 13-9 victory in the second round of the 2018 World Championship when they infamously bumped into each other at the table.
There was also a bitter war of words between the duo after O’Sullivan mounted a comeback from 6-3 behind to complete a 10-7 win in the Masters final at Alexandra Palace last year.
Hendry does not feel O’Sullivan will be bothered about having to face Carter in the first round, preferring to play the table rather than his opponent.
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“They’ve got to sit really close to each other,” said Hendry.
“The last time they sat that close together, there was the old bargegate. There is no love lost between the two of them.
“Obviously, after the Masters final as well. I don’t know if Ronnie holds onto a lot of stuff like that.
“Remember the time with Hossein Vafaei [in 2023], sort of a needle match, and Hossein said a lot of things.
“He smashed up the pack, but after Ronnie had won it [13-2], there were big hugs and it was forgotten about.
“If Ronnie does play, I don’t think he’ll pay much attention to who he is playing.
“If he is playing, he’s got a plan and is going to try to win the eighth. I don’t think he’ll let it get into his thinking who he is playing.
“It will just be him and the table.”
Hendry feels Carter will have the right mindset to face O’Sullivan despite having only enjoyed a solitary win over him since their first meeting in 2001.
“I know what his mentality will be,” said Hendry. “He hopes Ronnie doesn’t turn up and gets a bye into the next round.
“There are a few opponents you would rather avoid, and Ronnie is one of them. But Ali will love it.
“If anyone can get up for that match, and has the feistiness for it, it is Ali Carter.”
