Stephen Hendry offers Barry Hawkins key advice on how to become a 'serial winner' after Welsh Open snooker glory - 'He knows where to come'

Barry Hawkins is one of the few players in the modern history of professional snooker who has lost finals at the World Championship, Masters and UK Championship. Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry feels he still has the game to lift one of the sport's biggest prizes after claiming his fifth ranking title with a 9-5 victory over Jack Lisowski in the Welsh Open final on Sunday.

Hawkins lifts Ray Reardon Trophy after Welsh Open final win

Video credit: TNT Sports

Barry Hawkins would be battling for a place in the all-time top 16 of snooker greats, according to seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry.

But the Scot also feels the world No. 9 still has time to improve his standing in the sport based on his remarkable levels of consistency since turning professional in 2000.

Hawkins claimed his fifth ranking trophy with a dominant 9-5 win over Jack Lisowski in the Welsh Open final in Llandudno, with a powerhouse display of scoring that included breaks of 105, 102, 88, 76, 68 and 67.

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"He wouldn't be in the top eight, I don't think," said Hendry. "You'd put him in the top 16, but if you spent two or three hours going through all the greats, he might get further and further down that list.

"Judd [Trump] has only won one world, which some people would say that's not good for someone of his greatness, but the sheer volume of tournaments he's won puts him up there."

Hawkins moves into joint 20th place in the modern history of ranking champions alongside six-time Crucible winner Ray Reardon, world champion Zhao Xintong and former professional Stephen Lee.

Hendry feels the Ditton man - who faces Ian Burns in his opening match at the World Open in Yushan on March 17 - could take a leaf out of his own green baize book of tricks by becoming more single-minded in his pursuit of greatness.

'There's the little celebration' - Hawkins wraps up title

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"He's a brilliant, brilliant player. He's got the game," said Hendry on the World Snooker Tour podcast. "He's only won five times, but some people win nothing, so he's still had a brilliant career.

"There is obviously something that has stopped him going that extra step. He's been in many major finals.

"I used to wonder if he was too nice a guy because you have to be a bit of a 'you know what' to be a serial winner. I'm one of the biggest, many people will tell you that.

"Unfortunately, Barry is not a serial winner. He's good enough to beat anyone on their day. He's showed that many, many times.

"I remember when he beat Ryan Day [10-7] in the [2017 World Grand Prix] final in Preston. He made five centuries. When he gets on one, he doesn't look like missing. But there is obviously something there stopping him from getting to the next level.

"Let's not forget, he's come up against some top players in these finals."

Hawkins has finished runner-up at the 2013 World Championship, losing 18-12 to Ronnie O'Sullivan, and the 2024 UK Championship, defeated 10-8 by Judd Trump amid eight ranking final defeats to figures such John Higgins, Mark Selby and Kyren Wilson.

He also lost twice in the Masters final at London's Alexandra Palace, being drubbed 10-1 by O'Sullivan in 2016 and 10-4 by Neil Robertson in 2022.

'You don't often see that from him' - Hawkins celebrates victory over Wu

Video credit: TNT Sports

But Hendry has offered him a key piece of advice on what he needs to take the final step towards a career-defining triumph.

"I don't think he likes being told he's too nice. If you don't have that coldness inside, you can't teach that. You either have that or you don't," Hendry said.

"It's the same in every sport. If he wants lessons in being a 'you know what', he knows where to come."

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