The wait goes on to see whether or not Ronnie O’Sullivan will play on the World Snooker Championship this 12 months however Stephen Hendry reckons the Rocket will land on the Crucible.
Little or no has been seen of O’Sullivan in 2025 to date, along with his solely aggressive snooker coming on the behind-closed-doors Championship League in January.
A visibly pissed off Rocket ended up smashing his cue on the Leicester occasion and pulled out of the Masters later that week, opting to not defend his title at Alexandra Palace.
Whereas the 49-year-old confirmed throughout the occasion in London that he intends to maintain enjoying, he has not performed in a match since.
He has not certified for subsequent week’s Tour Championship, which means the following time we may see O’Sullivan with a cue in his hand might be on the Crucible subsequent month, however whether or not he might be there or not is but to be seen.
The seven-time world champion has by no means missed a visit to the Crucible since his debut in 1993 and Hendry doesn’t assume he might be breaking that report this 12 months.
‘I’ve received a sneaky suspicion he’s going to [play],’ Hendry stated on the Snooker Membership podcast.
Then Hendry couldn’t fairly make his thoughts up on whether or not the Rocket would have the ability to soar again into the massive time and are available away with the best prize within the sport.
The Scot’s preliminary ideas have been that it will be an excessive amount of to ask, even of the legendary Englishman who took the entire 2012/13 season off earlier than returning to win the World Championship.
‘He clearly did it earlier than, had a 12 months off however he was a a lot youthful man and there weren’t the gamers round which might be in such kind,’ stated Hendry.
‘There have been nonetheless nice gamers however I believe there’s extra nice gamers able to successful it. There’s six or seven simply you can rely and perhaps extra which might be able to successful it.’
Nevertheless, the romance of that image he painted appeared engaging to Hendry, who felt it will be a surprising story for the Rocket to return and oust a string of gamers who’ve all lifted trophies this season whereas he has largely sat on the sidelines.
‘What a narrative it will be,’ he stated. ‘All these gamers: [Kyren] Wilson, [Judd] Trump successful all these tournaments. [Neil] Robertson again, [John] Higgins again, [Mark] Selby.
‘Ronnie simply decides he’s going to show up on the Worlds and wins it. It could be an unbelievable story and he’s that good.’
Now having absolutely talked himself into O’Sullivan having the ability to pull off this beautiful achievement, Hendry recalled the recommendation he gave to the Rocket 12 years in the past when he claimed the 2013 title.
‘I bear in mind when he did it earlier than and had a 12 months out. He messaged me and stated, “Do you assume I can nonetheless got here again and do it?”‘ Hendry recalled.
‘I stated, “In fact you may. All you want is a month’s strong apply.”
‘It’s the identical this time. I don’t know what his cue scenario is as a result of he smashed his final one, but when he had a month behind closed doorways, practising, placing the work in, getting himself sharp then in fact he can. He’d be one of many prime two or three favourites to win it.’
The bookmakers nonetheless have O’Sullivan among the many favourites to win the World Championship for an eighth time this 12 months.
Betfair have the Rocket, world primary Judd Trump and defending champ Kyren Wilson all joint-leaders within the betting at 7/1.
MORE: Important World Seniors Snooker change may see star names play for first time
MORE: World Snooker Championship will get new sponsor forward of 2025 version
MORE: One Ronnie O’Sullivan report labelled ‘ridiculous and obscene’ by snooker rival
