Snooker icon Stephen Hendry has narrowed down the field of potential winners at this year's World Snooker Championship, suggesting only a select few players have genuine title credentials. Despite a season marked by unpredictability with fifteen different ranking event winners, the seven-time champion believes the Crucible Theatre will not produce a complete surprise champion.
The Elite Contenders
Hendry described the realistic contenders as "a handful" that can be counted on one hand. He specifically highlighted reigning UK Championship winner Mark Selby as his primary tip for glory. "My tip is Selby," Hendry stated. "I just think he's due a good World Championship. And obviously if he plays like he played in the UK, at his best, he's almost unplayable."
O'Sullivan's Crucible Pedigree
Never far from championship discussions, Ronnie O'Sullivan receives strong backing from Hendry despite the Rocket's lack of ranking titles this season. "O'Sullivan is like the elephant in the room if he plays, because we all know he knows how to get it done at the Crucible," Hendry explained. He pointed to O'Sullivan's recent performances, including two maximum breaks at the Saudi Arabia Masters, as evidence that the seven-time champion still possesses match-winning magic.
Question Marks Over Established Stars
Hendry expressed reservations about two of snooker's biggest names. Regarding Judd Trump, he noted: "Trump is a bit of an enigma for me at the Crucible. I don't know whether it means as much to him, which if it doesn't, it surprises me." Similarly, he questioned Neil Robertson's Crucible record beyond his single title victory. "Apart from winning it once, he's done nothing at the Crucible," Hendry observed.
Kyren Wilson's Unusual Preparation
The 2024 champion Kyren Wilson presents an interesting case, having won major invitational titles this season while struggling in ranking events. Hendry acknowledged Wilson's capability but questioned whether his lack of recent competitive play might hinder his chances. "He won it when he didn't play in this [Tour Championship]. There's two ways of looking at it," Hendry said. "I would rather be playing in tournaments, but he'll be coming in as fresh as a daisy."
Defending Champion's Historic Challenge
Current world champion Zhao Xintong enters as bookmakers' favorite despite the infamous "Crucible curse" that has prevented first-time champions from defending their title. Hendry believes the Chinese star could make history but cautioned that his draw could prove crucial. "I think he can [break the curse]," Hendry said. "I think a lot depends on the draw, you can get a tricky draw. When you walk down those stairs as defending champion, it's a massive thing."
The World Snooker Championship promises high drama as these elite contenders battle for snooker's ultimate prize. With Hendry's insights highlighting both established champions and potential surprises, the tournament appears set to deliver compelling narratives alongside world-class sporting action.
