"For me - and I've said it since 1990 - he's the greatest player ever to lift a snooker cue. Ronnie O'Sullivan v Barry Hawkins | FINAL 2016 Dafabet Masters Session 1, Joe Perry vs Ronnie O'Sullivan Masters 2017 (Final)( Session 2), Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Shaun Murphy - 2017 UK Championship, THE BEST OF 2018 UK FINAL! Davis, who lost the 1989 and 1990 UK Championship finals to Hendry, continued: "In a way I feel that it's quite a sad day for me. To qualify for that would be incredible. Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry has announced his retirement from snooker after a heavy 13-2 defeat by Stephen Maguire at the Crucible. WPBSA Head Office: World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, 75 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2NT, Victories in Sheffield for Hendry and Wallace, White and Doherty to Meet in World Seniors Final. Eight months on from cementing his status as a sporting superstar for life with his five minute and eight second maximum at the Crucible, O'Sullivan picked up his second UK crown after claiming a 9-6 victory over Hendry in the final, ending the Scotsman's three-year grip on the trophy in the process. pic.twitter.com/K1gRIJLnz9, Mark Selby thought Ronnie O'Sullivan's cavalier approach to getting out of his snookers was disrespectful. In 2020, Hendry accepted a tour card for the World Snooker Tour, indicating his return to professional play. Hed sacrificed much to get to the top and had no regrets. Until 1982, only the world championship counted as a ranking event; two others the International Open and the Professional Players Tournament were then added, as was the UK Championship in 1984. Ronnie O'Sullivan is happy to share the World Snooker Championship record with 'absolute legend' Stephen Hendry but feels that the feat means more to the Scot than it does to. "For me - and I've said it since 1990 - he's the greatest player ever to lift a snooker cue. That's what a champion does, they don't play their best, they get to the final, and they still nearly win it. A. Career. @ronnieo147 pic.twitter.com/bCUnSqT2Z0. Ronnie O'Sullivan's 18-13 win over Judd Trump at the Crucible Theatre in the World Snooker Championship final in 2022 earned him the biggest prize in the sport for a record-equalling seventh time. He capped off his incredible season by defeating Jimmy White in the final of the World Snooker Championship, winning his first world championship title,and setting a record for becoming the youngest to do so at the age of 21. Although Stephen Hendry officially retired following the 2012 World Snooker Championship, he announced he would be returning to the World Snooker Tour in 2020.Hendry has competed in a partial schedule during 2021 and 2022. O'Sullivan's sixth world title came on his 28th appearance in a row here, and during the final he played his 1,847th Crucible frame to creep past the record previously set by Hendry of 1,846. Joe is a sub-editor for Sporting News UK. But in 2014,. The 43-year-old, who . Hendry, 43, retired on Tuesday after a 13-2 quarter-final defeat by Stephen Maguire ended his 27th consecutive appearance at the Crucible. Joe is a sub-editor for Sporting News UK. pic.twitter.com/kkjnHt983m. 2023 Eurosport, a Warner Bros. Evans slams 'disgusting' prize money in women's snooker as Baipat claims world title. #snooker #bbcsnooker pic.twitter.com/dgKOL1QXhs, Ronnie O'Sullivan doing this to trail Mark Selby 16-14 in a World Championship semi-final but still ends up winning 17-16 in a match of the ages. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. O'Sullivan may well still be a solitary world title shy of Hendry's historic mark of seven after his 18-8 victory over Kyren Wilson drew him level with Steve Davis and Ray Reardon, but few can possibly dispute the Rocket's unofficial status as the greatest snooker player of all time. His tour card was subsequently renewed for another two seasons.. Discovery company. During this period in the early 1990s, a wave of Scottish talent flooded the professional ranks. To be the best was all he had ever wanted. Considering all categories of tournament, including ranking, non-ranking and invitational, Steve Davis has won the most titles in snooker. In 1996, with an 1812 victory over Peter Ebdon, Hendry captured his sixth world championship, a feat only two other players (Ray Reardon in the 1970s and Steve Davis in the 1980s) had achieved in the modern era. What TV channel is 2022 World Snooker Championship final? Eight years on from his initial retirement from the professional sport at the age of 43 at the end of the 2011/12 season . Despite what he says about his cue action. This is a shame as the audience at the Meadowbank Centre would surely love to salute him. Having spent most of his career doing his own thing, he suddenly became friendly with the other players and, by his own admission, lost some of his edge. Earlier in the tournament he'd beaten Marcus Campbell (10-4), Ali Carter (13-8), Stuart Bingham (13-4) and Judd Trump 17-11. But despite trailing 16-14, he brilliantly won three frames on the trot to complete a remarkable day of semi-final snooker before wiping the floor with Kyren Wilson 18-8 in front of the returning, adoring, Crucible crowd. Read about our approach to external linking. Technically, the most successful player at the world championship is Joe Davis, who won 15 consecutive titles from 1927 to 1946. Earlier breaks of 116 and 105 had moved OSullivan onto 999 and any speculation that he would wait for the World Championship to reach a thousand was ended with a sumptuous 134. "It's been an unbelievable career," Taylor told BBC Radio 5 live. Although he sat out of the 2022 World Snooker Championship qualifying, Hendry stated that he intends to continue competing. The Scot, who dropped out of the elite top 16 earlier this season and is currently ranked 23, admitted having to qualify for this year's World Championship for the first time since 1988 "was not a nice feeling". At age 30 (seven years younger than Reardon was when he won the first of his six world titles) Hendry considered retirement, but he persevered, working with former coach Frank Callan. The scene was vibrant. One of snookers all-time greats Scotlands Stephen Hendry remains the player with the most World Championship titles to his name in the modern era following his record seven Crucible crowns won from 1990-1999. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 1997 World Championship v Mick Price, 2. O'Sullivan set up another instalment of his budding rivalry with Mark Selby after beating Joe Perry (6-5), Ali Carter (6-2) and Stephen Maguire (6-1) and he'd edge another titanic tussle between the pair 10-8 to claim his fourth Masters title. OSullivan beat Judd Trump to win his seventh World Championship, I couldnt care less what Stephen Hendry or anyone else says Allen on slow-play critics, Why theres no hiding place for anyone at the Shoot Out, he was fined several times in the last 12 months. "John Higgins is on four, it's very hard to see anyone reaching seven," said Davis, a six-time world champion. Hendry was 30 and the extraordinary intensity he had given to be the best seemed to wane. He'd previously brushed aside Dott (6-3), Ding Junhui (6-2) and Jimmy White (6-1) as he continued to dazzle the crowds. 'pic.twitter.com/7eVJQ8XH6D, If you consider the high stakes, the context, the pressure, this must be one of the greatest shots in the history of snooker from Ronnie OSullivan. Victories in the Scottish Open and the Irish Masters rebuilt his confidence, and at the 1999 world championship he survived an especially tough draw to reach the final, in which he defeated Mark Williams 1811. Top 5 Ranked Men's Snooker Players Of All Time. He competed in the World Amateur Championship that year, setting a record for being the youngest entrant ever.. Stephen Hendry bestrode the sport in the 90s in an almost imperious way. Ronnie O'Sullivan on whether he's just created the greatest sporting documentary of all time after giving it the fairytale ending. Selby clinched his fourth triumph this . Four months later he'd bring a packed house to their feet yet again with his third maximum break of the season and his third at the Crucible. And just as the 2017 sequel to Trainspotting doesnt alter the majesty of the original, Hendrys stuttering comeback doesnt change any of that. The year was 1996. I wouldn't say it's the wrong decision - it's just down to the individual.". At 18, he won his first ranking title, the 1987 Grand Prix. Even before his victory, O'Sullivan was already considered by many to be the greatest player of all time not least because of the number of ranking titles he has collected during his storied 30-year career. **Hendry resumed playing in 2021 after nine years out, but his future on the tour is unclear. Bio. His all-time leading tally of 20 Triple Crowns, which also consists of seven UK Championships and seven Masters, is now two more than what Hendry achieved in his legendary career, although the Scotsman condensed his 18 (7 worlds, 5 UKs & 6 Masters) into a formidable 10-year spell from 1989 to 1999. O'Sullivan came into the Masters on the back of losing the UK Championship final to Mark Selby but bounced back with wins over Liang Wenbo (6-5), Neil Robertson (6-3) and Marco Fu (6-4) before successfully defending his crown with a 10-7 triumph over Joe Perry. Unlike White or even Davis, he did not play for the pure love of snooker but because of an obsession with being the best. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2014 Welsh Open - Ding Junhui, 13. When the 96/97 season began, there were nine Scots ranked inside the top 64 and plenty more coming up on the rails. 1995: Beats Nigel Bond in the World Championship final. 2005: Wins his 36th and most recent ranking title at the Malta Cup. He might not have been the last snooker king of Scotland but was the man who inspired a nation, and who brought it respect. Hendry, 43, retired on Tuesday after a 13-2 quarter-final defeat by Stephen Maguire . Ronnie O'Sullivan records 776th century to break Stephen Hendry's record. To be fair, Hendry had done everything to lower expectations. 'Feels amazing' Higgins ends 13-month title drought by retaining Championship League crown, Watch Robertson produce magic as Trump leads final Championship League group. Ronnie O'Sullivan (1992-) 6x Worlds, 7x UK champ, 7x Masters, 37 ranking titles, 1061 centuries, 15 147s Stephen Hendry (1985-2012) 7x Worlds, 5x UK champ, 6x Masters, 36 ranking titles, 775 centuries, 11 147s Who is the GOAT? RT for Ronnie Like for Hendry pic.twitter.com/S4MiKoDhHG. believes Hendry's achievements mark him out as the stand-out player in the sport's history. Technically, the most successful player at the world championship is. "The ultimate goal is to play one more match at the Crucible. "But records are there to be broken. Corrections? 2023 Eurosport, a Warner Bros. Even Neil Robertson is laughing by the end of the title-winning break. While many had given the enigmatic Rocket GOAT status on talent grounds long before he'd surpassed Stephen Hendry's records for most ranking titles (36) and Triple Crowns (18) due to the . Hendry had observed Steve Davis aloofness, the way he set himself apart from his rivals. "I will try to keep expectations lowthe animal that I am, if I start to get form, then the expectations will rise. The seventh, though, was like a dam breaking. 'One from the archives' - Hendry makes fantastic brown to win frame, 'That is the Hendry we remember well!' The Romford potter has amassed 52 more Crucible centuries (179 vs 127) to take his astonishing overall career tally to 1,061 compared to Scotsman's mark of 775 - which is second on the all-time list - while 15 of those were maximums. Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan jointly hold the record for the most World Snooker Championship titles with seven. Ranking the game's top five players in history, including World Championship stars. Comments. Rocket's 30 years at Crucible - Ronnie O'Sullivan set to pass another Stephen Hendry record at 46th World Championship Ronnie O'Sullivan holds almost all of the key records in snooker, but. Ronnie O'Sullivan had not yet turned 18 but he'd already earned his nickname 'The Rocket' after winning a best-of-nine frame encounter in a record-breaking 43 minutes during his debut professional season (1992-93), in which he'd also claimed a maiden non-ranking title and qualified for his first World Championship, where he lost 10-7 to Alan McManus. On that occasion he was thrashed 5-1 by Dennis Taylor in the wildcard round but this was a completely different story, overcoming John Parrott, Terry Griffiths and Peter Ebdon prior to a 9-3 triumph over fellow teenage sensation John Higgins. Way back in 1993 at the age of 17 he became the youngest winner of a ranking event at the UK Championship, and 27 years on he's bagged a record-breaking 37th as the oldest Crucible champion since Reardon in 1978. O'Sullivan stands on 69 wins from 92 matches played between 1993 and 2021. Hendry has the longest unbeaten streak in ranking tournament play, winning 36 consecutive matches in 1990 and 1991. Here's a look back through time at his 20 Triple Crown titles, his 15 career maximums and the typically memorable moment he scored his 1000th century last year. Who has won the most World Snooker Championship titles? Due tohis early success, Hendry earned the nickname The Golden Boy. His continued dominance led him to also become known as The Ice Man and The King of the Crucible. Even though he failed to defend his world championship title in 1991, Hendry struck back the following year, taking down White once again in the final of the 1992 World Snooker Championship. "Then you let the snooker gods decide what they're going to decide, and these 17 days they were on my side. There have been as many as 20 rankings tournament in a single season in recent years. MORE:Is Ronnie O'Sullivan snooker's GOAT? In 2006, however, he demonstrated that he still possessed the talent that made him such a force in the 1990s when he claimed the number one ranking once again. "I would say no, because there are so many great players competing against each other to win every tournament," he told BBC Sport. The Scot finished as the year-end rankings leader for eight seasons in a row from 1989/90 to 1996/97. While his comments about needing to lose one arm to drop out of the world's top 50 were still going viral, it looked as though he'd bow out when supposedly playing recklessly against Mark Selby in the semi-final. After Hendry lost the top ranking in 2007, his play began to decline, and in 2012 he retired suddenly following his loss in the quarterfinals of the snooker world championship. He also had lost in the final in 1997, snapping a string of 30 straight wins in that event. Hendry won his first major junior tournament, the Scottish U-16 Championship, at age 14.Around this time, he appeared on the junior version of the BBCs Pot Black, a televised single-frame snooker competition that contributed to the games resurgence.At 15, Hendry won the Scottish Amateur Championship. Stephen Hendry holds the record for the youngest ever to win the World Snooker Championship, as he won the 1990 tournament at 21 years and 106 days. As an added bonus, here's how he equalled Stephen Hendry's century break record of 775 against Ricky Walden Ronnie O'Sullivan's incredible career in numbers, RONNIE O'SULLIVAN WINS HIS SIXTH WORLD SNOOKER TITLE AT THE CRUCIBLE, Ronnie O'Sullivan wins UK Championship 1993, B&H Masters 1995 Final: Ronnie O'Sullivan Vs John Higgins Part 2, SNOOKER UK CHAMP 1997 final O`Sullivan vs Hendry part 2, Stephen Hendry 147 v Ronnie O'Sullivan Decider Charity Challenge 1997, 2001 World Snooker Championship Final Ronnie O'Sullivan vs John Higgins, 2004 World Snooker Championship Final Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Graeme Dott Session 4 (BBC), 2005 Snooker the Masters Final Ronnie O'Sullivan vs John Higgins Frame 9-13, DECIDER O'Sullivan v Selby SF 2007 UK Championship, 2007 Snooker UK Championship Final Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Stephen Maguire Frame 9-12, Ronnie's 147 v Williams at the 2008 World Championship, 2008 World Snooker Championship Final Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Ali Carter Frame 21-24, 2009 Snooker The Masters Final Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Mark Selby Frame 13-18, Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ali Carter 2012 World Championship, Amazing 2013 World Championship Final | O'Sullivan - Hawkins, Selby v O'Sullivan FINAL FRAME 2014 Masters HD1080p. In recognition of his excellence in the sport, Hendry was knighted, receiving a MBE recognition in 1994. In 25 years time, maybe that record will fall too. Hendry changed the way snooker was played, ushering in a more attacking era and. He became the first player to score the maximum of 147 three times in tournament play, recording his first 147 in 1992 and two more in 1995 (he scored additional maximums in 1997 and 1998, two in 1999, and others in 2001 and 2009). Higgins, 47, continues to have a successful career at the top level with 31 ranking event victories to his name, including four world titles. He hadn't been at his fluent best earlier in the tournament but managed three century breaks and 10 above 50 when the trophy was on the line. But why is that? Technically, the most successful player at the world championship is Joe Davis, who won 15 consecutive titles from 1927 to 1946. What Are The Differences Between Snooker And Billiards? Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2010 World Open - Mark King, 11. He repeated as world champ from 1992 to 1996. What TV channel is 2022 World Snooker Championship final? His seventh and final World Snooker Championship title in 1999 set a record for most of all time -a record which he held solely until Ronnie O'Sullivan tied the record with his 2022 championship win. Can't stop smiling watching this againpic.twitter.com/vPxSMZhCEo, 1000 x ! Ronnie O'Sullivan's legendary career reaches a new unprecedented milestone, making his 1000th century - 27 years after his first - to win his 35th ranking title! What. After losing to Stephen Maguire in the quarterfinal of the 2012 World Snooker Championship, Hendry announced his retirement, stating that he was dissatisfied with his ability to maintain an acceptably high level of competition. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2007 Northern Ireland Trophy - Ali Carter, 8. Hendry, who turned pro in 1985 aged 16, twice managed to win all three prestigious tournaments in one season (1989-90 & 95-96) - a feat O'Sullivan has never achieved - but only managed four more ranking triumphs this Millennium until he retired at the age of 43 following his 27th consecutive World Championship in 2012. He reeled off six consecutive frames to establish a four-frame advantage at the interval and despite a brief rally by his opponent he wrapped up victory with a break of 78. This year he made the back pages for making amends in majestic fashion by compiling a breathtaking 147 break in the deciding frame of his semi-final with Mark Selby. Wishaws John Higgins was taken with one of his brothers to a snooker club as a boy by their father, who could have a social drink with his friends while his sons were happily occupied. O'Sullivan's longevity at the top is almost as remarkable as his breathtaking standard of play and his mind-boggling collection of records, titles and century milestones. On either side of this triumph, he appeared in two other Crucible finals. But it was a strange feeling I had. His comeback was much anticipated but has been largely underwhelming. However, he began competing again in 2021. He said: "I think it meant more to him than it does to me, to have seven world titles. Ranking the game's top five players in history, including World Championship stars. The Rocket not only equalled Steve Davis' record of six UK titles by defeating Shaun Murphy 10-5 but he also moved level with Stephen Hendry on 18 Triple Crown triumphs. Mark Selby has been playing around 280 minutes to lead 5-4. O'Sullivan's inactivity in the previous season had saw him slump down to 19 in the rankings but his status as world champion earned him a spot in the Masters field. Glaswegian Alan McManus had already turned professional in 1990 and made an immediate breakthrough, reaching the UK Championship semi-finals and winning the Masters qualifying event in his debut season. This remarkable completion of professional snookers Triple Crown by the young Hendry moved him into the No. Yes, that's yet another record and four clear of Hendry. O'Sullivan set to pass another Hendry record pic.twitter.com/jWWr6mfcAd. Just by being here as world number one no less the Romford man was setting a record for most consecutive Crucible appearances with 30, a tally that is level with Steve Davis overall record. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2018 China Open - Elliot Slessor, 15. O'Sullivan equalled the record of Stephen Hendry by winning his seventh World Championship . Maybe not that night, because there's still a little bit of sadness that he equalled my record. We look back at his 28. His five match wins during this edition took him to 74 Crucible victories, four more than one of other Hendrys few remaining records. "Hendry: "Well he can't become the youngest world champion"Davis: "But he is playing like Benjamin Button." There have been as many as 20 rankings tournament in a single season in recent years. Unseen footage: OSullivan breaks down in tears as seventh world title sinks in, 'I hated it' - O'Sullivan on why he did not enjoy winning seventh world title. Hendry, 43, retired on Tuesday after a 13-2 quarter-final defeat by Stephen Maguire ended his 27th consecutive appearance at the Crucible. I can't explain it. Why Do Snooker Players Use Their Chins When Shooting. The only trophies Hendry has ever wanted to handle are the ones he has won. Tai Chengzhe/Visual China Group via Getty Images. 1999: Wins his record seventh world title, seeing off Mark Williams in the final. Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan jointly hold the record for the most World Snooker Championship titles with seven. Hendrys seven world titles all came during his dominant spell in the 1990s, which also included eight consecutive seasons as world No. Any excuse to dig this uppic.twitter.com/hzoGnnsx9W, 1. A ranking tournament is one that counts towards snooker's world rankings, which were introduced in the 1976-77 season. These days, he is playing not just against the new players but his own past, judged by the performances of his pomp and suffering in comparison. I just try to enjoy the game, compete, try and enjoy what I do, and work hard at my game. While his Triple Crown success dried up for a few years, O'Sullivan was still building his tally of ranking and non-ranking titles and it surely seemed just a matter of time before he'd finally go all the way on the biggest stage of all. Having enlisted the help of six-time world champion Ray Reardon to rediscover his magic, he battled past Stephen Maguire (10-6) and Andy Hicks (13-11) before imperiously wiping the floor with Anthony Hamilton (13-3) and Stephen Hendry (17-4) with sessions to spare, while his 18-8 hammering of Graeme Dott was pretty brutal too as he returned to the top of the world rankings, where he'd stay for the next two seasons. 1 ranking for a period in 2005. Last week, he was thrashed 5-0 by Matthew Stevens in the German Masters qualifiers. "Jimmy White would probably feel that even though he's not at the cutting edge any more, he's enjoyed the challenge of trying to stay within the game, and I've enjoyed the same challenge, but obviously Stephen didn't. Ronnie O'Sullivan's 18-13 win over Judd Trump at the Crucible Theatre in the World Snooker Championship final in 2022 earned him the biggest prize in the sport for a record-equalling seventh time. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 1999 Grand Prix v Graeme Dott, 4. Hendrys father bought him a junior-sized snooker table for Christmas when he was twelve.He became obsessed with the game, quickly developing his skills, and began competing in junior amateur tournaments. His top break of 141 was the highest in a World Championship final, beating O'Sullivan's previous best mark of 139 in 2001. Who Has Won The Most World Snooker Championships? Finishes Tournaments played: 3 Category Winner Perhaps it had to if he was to avoid serious burnout. Tribute to Stephen Hendry. The record was previously set by Stephen Hendry back in 1999. MORE:Is Ronnie O'Sullivan snooker's GOAT? - Stunning clearance after big White miss, You have to write off the first year OSullivan on Hendry comeback, 'Youve got a long night ahead!' While anarchy reigned on the big screen, another Scotsman was at the peak of his powers, monopolising TV time as he swept all before him. The 53-year-old, who first lifted the famous trophy aged 21, quipped: "Well he cant become the youngest world champion, not even Ronnie can do that., Davis replied: But he is playing like Benjamin Button.. Steve Davis says he cannot imagine anyone bettering Stephen Hendry's tally of seven World Championship titles. OSullivan has already ticked off the other major records Hendry held including most Triple Crown wins and most ranking tournament titles. He turned professional the following year, and when he won the Grand Prix in 1987, he became the youngest player to win a tournament. As if to underline how disappointing the comeback has been, the man himself did not enter the event. Evans slams 'disgusting' prize money in women's snooker as Baipat claims world title. Ronnie OSullivan registered the 1000th century break of his extraordinary career to win the final of the 2019 Players Championship. Hendry has always known that sole ownership of the sports most prestigious record was on borrowed time and recently insisted it would be an honour to share it with the player who stunned him as a 17-year-old in the 1993 UK Championship final. Last updated on 2 May 20122 May 2012.From the section Snooker. Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan jointly hold the record for the most World Snooker Championship titles with seven. Copyright 2017-2023 Rookie Road Inc. All rights reserved. He became the first player to score the maximum of 147 three times in tournament play, recording his first 147 in 1992 and two more in 1995 (he scored additional maximums in 1997 and 1998, two in 1999, and others in 2001 and 2009). A series of records fell in his wake. Interviews over a few. Who set these standards? Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2011 Paul Hunter Classic - Adam Duffy, 12. McManus would win the Masters itself in 1994. Tuesday 03 May 2022 09:19. O'Sullivan had finished runner-up in the Masters three times since his maiden title in this tournament in 1995 - to Hendry (1996), Steve Davis (1997) and Paul Hunter (2004) - but he'd get his hands on the new crystal triangle trophy with a 10-3 demolition job of John Higgins. Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan jointly hold the record for the most World Snooker Championship titles with seven. Ronnie O'Sullivan 775th Century with superb fluke! From 1992 until his defeat by Ken Doherty in the 1997 World Championship final, he won 29 consecutive matches at the Crucible, a modern-era record. O'Sullivan was riding on a crest of a wave by the end of the year and after edging out Peter Ebdon 9-8 in the quarter-finals and Mark Williams 9-6 in the semis, the Rocket destroyed Ken Doherty 10-1 to land his third UK title. He retired as a player following a 13-2 loss to fellow Scot, He last played a competitive match on the main tour in November, losing 6-1 to. After being ranked number one in the world for eight consecutive seasons, he lost the top spot with a first-round loss in the 1998 world championship.