Ronnie O'Sullivan: Stephen Hendry backs The Rocket to end title drought with £600,000 double - 'He still has the hunger'
Published 27/11/2024 at 12:42 GMT
Stephen Hendry is backing snooker GOAT Ronnie O'Sullivan to lift his first trophies of the season with a double triumph in Riyadh and London. Despite surprise successive early exits at the Champion of Champions in Bolton and the UK Championship in York, Hendry feels his fellow seven-time world champion is in good shape. "Ronnie has lost two matches, and he's not played badly," said the Scotsman.
O’Sullivan makes second century of match against Hawkins at UK Championship
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ronnie O'Sullivan could peak in time to lift his first trophies of the season by claiming a luctrative £600,000 double in Riyadh and London either side of Christmas, according to Stephen Hendry.
O'Sullivan lost 4-3 to Wuhan Open champion Xiao Guodong in the first round of the Champion of Champions last week with a similar narrative unfolding at the last-32 stage of UK Championship as an inspired Barry Hawkins recovered from 4-2 behind in a 6-4 win on Saturday.
The record 41-time ranking event winner is set to chase the £250,000 first prize at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship next month (December 18-20), with the world's top 10 after the UK Championship all earning invites.
He will then pursue a record-extending ninth Masters title and a £350,000 first prize before a vociferous home crowd at London's Alexandra Palace (January 12-19, live on Eurosport and discovery+).
O'Sullivan won both invitational events last season, and fellow seven-time world champion Hendry feels O'Sullivan has shown enough desire in recent weeks to suggest his first title triumph of the campaign is just around the corner.
"Ronnie has lost these two matches, and he's not played badly. Barry Hawkins played brilliant," said Hendry on the WST podcast.
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"He's looked up for it. He's tried his hardest, and played really well.
"But he's lost two matches, incredibly.
"The players that are outside of the top 16 now is incredible, like Hawkins, Neil Robertson and Jack Lisowski.
"Players we're used [to] seeing competing at the business end of tournaments over the past five or 10 years, coming through qualifiers.
"It is amazing, really."
O'Sullivan is working with former professional and coach Lee Walker, who has helped fellow 'Class of '92' icon Mark Williams return to title-winning form in recent years, including his 10-6 win over Xiao in the Champion of Champions final.
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"If Ronnie loses, it's not the end of the world. He got a lot going on, but he's still going to win tournaments," said Hendry.
"Him and Williams are going to be very dangerous animals. They're both at a stage of their career where it is not a necessity to win.
"They can just turn up and play and see what happens.
"He's been working with Lee Walker for about a month. I don't think his game looks bad.
"He missed a green against Xiao and missed a couple of opportunities against Hawkins. I put that down to rustiness."
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Hendry feels O'Sullivan's seven-week absence after losing 4-2 to He Guoqiang in the first round of the English Open in September is a key factor.
"He had seven weeks off," said the former world No. 1. "It doesn't get any easier to switch it on and off for Ronnie, Mark and John Higgins to just play under pressure as you get older.
"But there is no problem with his desire and getting up for these big events.
"I think he came to the UK, and looked up for it. He showed his frustration when he missed an easy ball against Hawkins at 4-2. There is no problem with his desire.
"I think he will win Saudi Arabia or the Masters. He'll definitely win one of those events. He could win both.
"The Masters is his backyard, he's won eight of those, he'll be up for it and the crowd love him."
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1997 world champion Ken Doherty agreed with Hendry's sentiments, but feels O'Sullivan has to be realistic with his own expectations.
"Sometimes he has to understand he can't play to the level he's been used to all the time," said the Irishman. "He's a little bit rusty, and has not played well this season consistently.
"I think Hawkins has always been a steady player. He's always capable. If he is at his best, and Ronnie is slightly not on his game, he can be turned over.
"He's not unbeatable. Nobody is infallible. But he's an outstanding player, and Ronnie will continue to be. He still loves the game, and works hard in practice.
"He still has the hunger. Like Williams, there's plenty of tournaments left in O'Sullivan.
"There's no doubt about that."
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