Then a week or so afterwards, I was like, OK, he's got the mantle now to live up to. Notwithstanding his absence from the top table and the feats of the likes of Ronnie OSullivan since, Hendry retains several records in the sport including nine seasons as world number one and being the only player to have won each of the sports Triple Crown titles during the same season twice. 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. 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. However, he began competing again in 2021. Hendrys seven world titles all came during his dominant spell in the 1990s, which also included eight consecutive seasons as world No. However, one big difference was how he approached the game itself. Final report: Ronnie O'Sullivan 18-8 Kyren Wilson, CLICK HERE FOR EVERY 147 BREAK IN SNOOKER HISTORY, WATCH ALL THE CRUCIBLE MAXIMUM BREAKS IN HISTOR, Richard Mann's story of the snooker season, Sporting Life exclusive: Neil Robertson interview, Nick Metcalfe on a decade of World Championship finals, World Championship memories: White always a People's Champion, World Championship memories: O'Sullivan's finest hour, World Championship memories: Higgins prevails but Trump grows, World Championship memories: Joe Johnson: The biggest shock, World Championship memories: 1984 World Championship stands out, World Championship: 6 (2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020), UK Championship: 7* (1993, 1997, 2001, 2007, 2014, 2017, 2018), Masters: 7* (1995, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2017), Century breaks: 1,061* (179 at Crucible*). There have been as many as 20 rankings tournament in a single season in recent years. BBC commentators and presenters for 2022 World Snooker Championship. After three semi-final defeats in the 1990s and a shock 10-9 defeat to David Gray in round one of the Millennium edition, O'Sullivan reached his first Crucible final by overcoming Andy Hicks (10-2), Dave Harold (13-6), Peter Ebdon (13-6) and Joe Swail (17-11) before an absorbing 18-14 victory over 1998 champion John Higgins. Ranking the game's top five players in history, including World Championship stars. Tribute to Stephen Hendry. "But records are there to be broken. It was one of six tons he managed in the final - another record - and his victory at the age of 37 meant he was the oldest player since Ray Reardon in 1978 to become world champion. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2018 English Open - Allan Taylor. 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. . Hendrys streak cooled in the 2000s, but he remained competitive, even reclaiming his No. All rights reserved. Maybe not that night, because there's still a little bit of sadness that he equalled my record. 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. BBC commentators and presenters for 2022 World Snooker Championship. Higgins was also 19 and just like O'Sullivan 12 months earlier, came through a qualifying event ranked 51 in the world. O'Sullivan has always played down his pursuit of the record and maintained that stance in his post-match press conference. I'm sure you're as excited watching at home as we are here." Fellow Glaswegian Anthony McGill has won two and Edinburghs Chris Small, forced to retire in 2005 due to a chronic back condition, one. Technically, the most successful player at the world championship is. 'It makes me so angry!' To be the best was all he had ever wanted. His 16 centuries in the 2002 world championship also set a record. "I would say no, because there are so many great players competing against each other to win every tournament," he told BBC Sport. There were so many - 70 titles in total - that we had to settle on just a dozen. As a seven-time World Champion, Hendry is the most successful player in the modern era of the World Snooker Championship and holds the record for the most seasons as world number one. To qualify for that would be incredible. Stephen . Hendry changed the way snooker was played, ushering in a more attacking era and establishing records that took decades to be matched. 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. The 53-year-old Scotsman won 70 matches from 90 played at the Crucible between 1986 and 2012 when he appeared 27 times and lifted the world trophy on seven occasions in 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1999. 6x World champion 7x UK champion 7x Masters champion 20 Triple Crowns A record 37th ranking title 1,061 century breaks 15 147s Legendary brilliance on the table Legendary entertainment off it Ronnie O'Sullivan, the GOAT pic.twitter.com/jeDAixy07w. He turned professional the following year, and when he won the Grand Prix in 1987, he became the youngest player to win a tournament. His 16 centuries in the 2002 world championship also set a record. He declared the match over when missing a red in frame six despite leading 24-0 at the time and although he later apologised to Hendry and his fans, O'Sullivan was fined 20,800 for his actions. To be fair, Hendry had done everything to lower expectations. Stephen Hendry has been one of the most successful snooker players in recent history and is widely regarded as one of the best to ever play the game.Tied with Ronnie OSullivan at seven titles apiece, no one has won more World Snooker Championships in the modern era than Hendry.Keep reading to find out all about his background and career, as well as what the snooker superstar is up to today. Selby clinched his fourth triumph this . Mon Oct 15 2018 - 13:17. It earned him 75 of the 11million+ he's now won 30 years later. **Hendry resumed playing in 2021 after nine years out, but his future on the tour is unclear. I just try to enjoy the game, compete, try and enjoy what I do, and work hard at my game. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2007 Northern Ireland Trophy - Ali Carter, 8. What Is The Prize of The World Snooker Championship? At the moment it is about trying to get back to playing some good snooker.". Remarkably, just like against Selby, this would be a match-winning 147 as he beat Mark Williams 13-7 in round two before seeing off Liang Wenbo (13-7) and Stephen Hendry (17-6) to reach the final. No player since Hendry in 1996 had retained the trophy while his 128th Crucible century during the 18-12 triumph over Barry Hawkins saw him move past the Scotsman's all-time record. Following the 1996 world championship, Hendrys play slipped. 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. By becoming the first player since Paul Hunter in 2002 to retain it, O'Sullivan could celebrate a record seventh Masters title. "For me - and I've said it since 1990 - he's the greatest player ever to lift a snooker cue. Unlike White or even Davis, he did not play for the pure love of snooker but because of an obsession with being the best. pic.twitter.com/K1gRIJLnz9, Mark Selby thought Ronnie O'Sullivan's cavalier approach to getting out of his snookers was disrespectful. What is the prize money at the 2022 World Snooker Championship? Harry Latham-Coyle. Once again, Hendry was setting records, with an unprecedented seventh world title. 2023 Eurosport, a Warner Bros. His comeback was much anticipated but has been largely underwhelming. 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. Stephen Hendry has opted out of entering the 2022 World Snooker Championship qualifiers only 12 months after returning following a nine-year absence. Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Mark Allen, Ronnie O'Sullivan's seven UK Championship titles, Ronnie O'Sullivan is world champion for a sixth time, Ronnie O'Sullivan Fastest 147 Break Ever | 1997 Snooker World Championship | Eurosport, Ronnie O'Sullivan v James Wattana - 147 Break, Ronnie O'Sullivan v Graeme Dott 147 break, Ronnie O'Sullivan v Quinten Hann - 147 break, Must see!!! Fast forward to the 2012 World Championship, which he lost to Stephen Maguire, after which he announced his retirement. 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. His triumph, which came a quarter of a century after he won his first United Kingdom crown as a 17-year-old, also saw O'Sullivan nudge ahead of Stephen Hendry with 19 Triple Crown titles - comprising the World and UK Championships and the Masters. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2014 Welsh Open - Ding Junhui, 13. He admired and coveted Daviss success and adopted his mindset. 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. The rate at which he's been losing his records hasnt been lost on Hendry, who was teased by Hazel Irvine and Steve Davis while on punditry duty about OSullivan potentially reaching 16 centuries at a single World Championship. At 18, he won his first ranking title, the 1987 Grand Prix. At 46 years and 146 days, the oldest ever world champion has most ranking titles (39), most Triple Crowns (21), most UK Championships (7), most Masters titles (7), most career centuries (1,170) and most maximum breaks (15), including the fastest ever made. 2005: Wins his 36th and most recent ranking title at the Malta Cup. 'Feels amazing' Higgins ends 13-month title drought by retaining Championship League crown, Watch Robertson produce magic as Trump leads final Championship League group. 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. Stephen Hendry: "Are you saying another record of mine is going? 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. Hendry had observed Steve Davis aloofness, the way he set himself apart from his rivals. Who has won the most World Snooker Championship titles? Stephen Hendry, (born January 13, 1969, Edinburgh, Scotland), Scottish snooker player who won a record seven world titles and dominated the game throughout the 1990s. - Hendry and Robertson not impressed with how some pros train, Hendry: O'Sullivan is the only player that doesnt speak to anyone. Tied at 42 pints apiece, Sinclair hit the deck and Werbeniuk went to the bar for a celebratory beer. 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". There have been as many as 20 rankings tournament in a single season in recent years. "I can't really envisage it happening, there's just going to be more and more players knocking each other out.". However, given the varying format changes in the tournament's early life, most records in the sport are now taken from the period beginning 1969, when the knockout format at the world championship was reintroduced. Ronnie OSullivan registered the 1000th century break of his extraordinary career to win the final of the 2019 Players Championship. Technically, the most successful player at the world championship is. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. The Rocket dominated from the start against Neil Robertson, winning 10-4, and finished in style by reaching a career milestone which may never be passed. **Hendry resumed playing in 2021 after nine years out, but his future on the tour is unclear. After the 1999 world championship, Hendrys fortunes faded once more. "Then you let the snooker gods decide what they're going to decide, and these 17 days they were on my side. "Steve Davis: "Have you got any left? 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. 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. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Copyright 2017-2023 Rookie Road Inc. All rights reserved. "Its just a number at the end of the day, I dont get too caught up with it to be honest with you.". 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. He wont even be there to present the trophy. The seventh, though, was like a dam breaking. Hendry, 43, retired on Tuesday after a 13-2 quarter-final defeat by Stephen Maguire ended his 27th consecutive appearance at the Crucible. The winner of this weeks Scottish Open receives the Stephen Hendry trophy. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 1999 Grand Prix v Graeme Dott, 4. In recognition of his excellence in the sport, Hendry was knighted, receiving a MBE recognition in 1994. This remarkable completion of professional snookers Triple Crown by the young Hendry moved him into the No. 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. We share it, its alright to share that, Hendrys a legend of the game, an absolute legend of the game. Hendry himself did not rule out someone overtaking his record eventually, even if the odds are against it. Steve Davis says he cannot imagine anyone bettering Stephen Hendry's tally of seven World Championship titles. Higgins, 47, continues to have a successful career at the top level with 31 ranking event victories to his name, including four world titles.