Ronnie O’Sullivan defends Stephen Hendry despite underwhelming return for seven-time world champion

Ronnie O’Sullivan believes “no-one has the right to criticise Stephen Hendry”.

Hendry retired in 2012, before making a shock comeback in 2020 where he has won just three of his 14 matches after withdrawing from numerous events.

“Stephen does what Stephen wants,” O’Sullivan told The Sportsman. “He is a seven-time world champion. If he wants to turn up and play, then great.

“If he doesn’t, then he has won it all. He is an absolute legend of the sport. He can come in here and play in his underpants if he likes. We should all bow to him. He is a hero of mine.

“Others probably see him as just another player, but I don’t. I see him as one of the greatest sportsmen I have ever known. He is like Tiger Woods.

“He puts them all to shame. He has got balls, as we say. Big trousers. It is highly unlikely he will win four best-of-19 matches – but never write Stephen off.

“And no-one should criticise him. Even if he got beaten 10-0 and the highest break was 12, no-one has the right to criticise Stephen Hendry.”

Jimmy White is also playing on Wednesday as the second round of the qualifying also gets underway, with The Whirlwind taking on Martin O’Donnell.

White has had one of his best seasons in recent years, after reaching the fourth round of the WST Classic, plus the main draws of the German Masters and the UK Championship.

The Eurosport pundit is confident about the way he is playing as he bids to reach the Crucible for the first time since 2006.

“My main thing is to carry into this some of the form I have shown this season,” said White.

“My tour card is on the line, I need a win or wins to try and make sure of that. If I do miss out there I might have a chance of a wild card tour place. But I would much rather do it on my own merit.

“You can get in the habit of losing and the habit of winning, and at the moment because I am playing well I am getting through matches and the confidence is growing.”

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