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Great Champion, but in my eyes always been a bit of a misery has Hendry. I respect him for his World titles and determination, but i'll never be that pleased to see him win, when Ronnie crushed him at the Worlds in 2004 that was one of my snooker highlights. So, Stephen well done on your 147 and first round win but I expect Mr Higgins shall beat you now.

Hendry was a fantastic player (still very good of course). In his prime he was virtually untouchable.

I grew up watching the likes of Doug Mountjoy, Terry Griffiths, Cliff Thorburn, Alex Higgins etc. Then along came Steve Davis. He was quite unpopular when he was dominating the sport. Everyone liked Jimmy White much more.
Then along came Hendry...once he was established as the best ever (at that time), he became the unpopular one. Everyone began to like Davis a lot more, whilst still cheering for Jimmy White as much as ever.
Then along came Rocket Ronnie...who did not dominate snooker, a popular player.
I wonder if Ronnie O`Sullivan would have been so popular had he gone on to dominate snooker.
Maybe in 50 years time, people will look back on Hendry and give him the appreciation he deserved (if he still is alive...hey maybe he will still qualify).

PS What is it with the British that they look down on top professionals who dominate their sport? Maybe, it`s just not cricket, what?

Well, I guess it's because sport becomes boring when you know who is going to win! We can respect a great champion but most will want to see someone else put one over on them, then when said champion is past his peak it then becomes a story to see him roll back the years.

been watching hendry for 25 years - genius!

Without question, the best player, ever.

His matches against Jimmy White were the highest level of snooker I've ever seen. Jimmy White really is also one of the great players of all time and was so unlucky to be up against this guy all the time.

Generally delighted when I watched Hendry's 147 live, quite a romantic moment, I let my former dislike escape me and now want him to get number 8. I never used to like Hendry, I was always a Mark Williams fan myself, when he got beaten by Hendry in 1999 I was gutted, when I got a cheap Hendry replica cue from my father I was disgusted and binned that 'signed' photo instantly. Nowadays I loathe Higgins, #anyonebuthiggins is the motto, maybe its because he's a Celtic man, moreso because he's a winner.

people are saying his the greatest ever, so the greatest ever says ronnie is the best player he played against, so thats saying ronnie is the best ever or al least an all time great

We are all in the presence of one of the greates men ever to grace the game. Ronnie O'Sullivan might still become a legend but for now Hendry has raised the bar.

The British thing about rooting for the underdog is a curious thing. There is no doubt Hendry at his best was the best there's ever been, for me the pleasure of watching porfessional sport lies in seeing, and being inspired by, just how good the best players can be. Why would you want to go and watch them on an off-day such that they lose to a lesser player? Always been mystified by that.

As long as he doesn't try to put the other player off making the maximum, I don't see what the big deal is. Unless you're close friends with your opponent, I'm not sure why you'd be particularly bothered whether he made the maximum or not.

He is the greatest Snooker player ever, when you are and have been at the top for the period he was that will to win will never leave you.

Problem is as he said his family has taken over his life, he doesn't need Snooker anymore. If I was him I would leave the game and retire.

Greatest ever. Glad he's honest about his winning mentality. Don't think he'll win the tournament but if he did I would be ecstatic! As Doherty says, if his head is right he can still play like he used to. Just seems a bit lazy/sloppy at times these days

Great player and best there's ever been, he took it seriously and never wanted to be beaten,nobody will dominate the sport again like he did.

It might be rose-tinted glasses and all that but I reckon from around 1990 ish to 1996 Hendry was the greatest snooker player ever. At his peak I still think he would have wiped the floor with the likes of Higgins, Robertson, Selby et al. Totally ruthless and relentless break building at an almost inhuman level. Like most people I respect his achievements- but still can quite forgive him for not letting Jimmy win at least one of those 4 finals!

Well we can't deny his honesty. I actually wanted to see Hendry win against Higgins in the 2nd round. After reading the above interview I hope Higgins stuffs him! Come on John!

I think we tend to forget just how exciting a player hendry was in his pomp - certainly, during the early 1990's when he was winning everything and creating new records for numbers of 100+ breaks per tournament. Much like Tiger Woods done for golf, it was Hendry who picked up from Davis consistent level of play and took it to a new level - hence he was almost untouchable for a good few years. Ronnie O Sullivan is/was a great player too and yes, he played with more excitement and flair than Hendry but thats not to say Hendry couldnt compile a break as well as O Sullivan. For me, Hendry at his best had a superior safety game to R o S as well as a greater consistency of performance over a longer spell. Ronnie has tended to blow hot and cold over his career. So for me, Hendry is clearly the best player there has been bar none.

most world championshps, most centuries, most fiftes, most ranking events, most most one four sevens. simply the one against all others are measured and that my friends is the mark of the best in their sport. END of.
hope he wipes the floor with Higgins, cant stand him

There's something rather sad and rather disturbing about this. Hendry was a great player, indisputably so, but it appears that he does not recognise that his time has long since gone. If he had retired a few years ago, he would certainly have been remembered and honoured for his incredible record. As it stands though, there is a great danger that many will remember him only by his decline, and that younger opponents will not give him much respect because they can beat him easily. Please Mr Hendry, quit while you are still ahead.

@18
Are you aware that, not only did he shoot a 147 break, but he also comfortably won his first round match? Not sure that his time has quite gone yet.

interesting

I was about 12 when he won his 1st world championship. I dont care what anyone else really believes. As far as i am concerned he is the greatest player to ever play. Hendry if you do read this, you did inspire me to be the best person that i could be:) and i am from england!

Hendry is quite simply the GOAT. Nice article!

Hendry's always excited me with his style of play - O'Sullivan equally. Both are more than craftsmen - they are artists, in their way. O'Sullivan is more self-consciously so, while it seems that with Hendry, the aesthetic pleasure in how he solves the problems on the table comes as a by-product of his sheer drive to win.

But in either case, there is always a strong likelihood that you're going to see some intensely beautiful, awe-inspiring snooker, today as much as ever.

Undeniably the greatest player, although I think the likes of Ronnie and Judd are more naturally talented. Having read his interview, I have to say that if more of our sportsmen were single minded then we would perhaps produce more champions. Anyway whether one thinks he is arrogant or not (given what he has achieved maybe he has the right to be - at least a little), I hope he does well against John.

I have to say I am astonished at the negativity surrounding John Higgins - Without a shadow of a doubt Hendry could not live with the precision and sheer matchplay genius of the this modern superstar - Davis, Parrott and sometimes even the most talented player (Ronnie O'Sullivan) are always waxing lyrical about this guy and rightly so!

@18
I think in other sports it can be quite saddening to watch a player once at the pinnacle fall into a chasm of mediocrity as they chase that one final moment of glory. If it arrives then they're a hero, if not then they can be remembered for bowing out ungracefully. Ronaldinho springs straight to mind.

However, a sport like snooker rewards longevity. Players like Steve Davis have been around longer than Henry but can still compete with the top players even as they approach the age where very few other sports would be able to maintain the competitiveness. The fact that Henry can still knock in a 147 shows he's capable of replicating the snooker he played 15-20 years ago, he just needs to improve his focus and sharpen his match play for the entire match. I personally love seeing players like Henry, Davis and even White still competing, because it's great to see a transition from traditional 90's snooker to the contemporary explosive stuff we're witnessing today. Not many other sports do you see that transition in the flesh. And yet, with all the hype about how much better players are getting, I still think Henry will be a match for anyone over the longer format of the game that he dominated for so long.

Would like to see one of the 'older boys' (apart from Ebdon) win a tournament, but with the current crop of younger players/John Higgins around you just can't see it happening. Fair play to Hendry though.

ROS may be the most naturally talented player ever but the best was Hendry. The man was a robot. As for his decline and the feeling he should have quit while he was ahead: why should he? He's still able to do a job he loves and is probably still earning a very nice living from it. From the interview above he has clearly accepted his level now so fair play to him.

As for Higgins - no doubting he's a class player but a certain meeting in Kiev makes watching him a no no for me. Hope Hendry rolls back the years and get's it right up 'um!!

I disagree that its weird the British obsession with rooting for the underdog. We like entertainment not just a winner.

Hendry smashing everyone or Schumacher winning every race is dull and boring so when an underdog comes along we naturally root for him.

The fact he is a dour scot makes disliking him that much easier!!

Hendry was the best ever.

I have had this argument about boxing (I maintain Sugar Ray Robinson is greatest boxer ever against a majority of Ali voters) and it depends how you class the "greatest" and the way I see it there can be two definitions:

1) if you had every great snooker player in a tournament, and they turned up playing the best they could possibly play over 37 frames who would win...

2) OR is it about consistent greatness and winning

Those who tick both boxes (I would put Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus in this bracket) are the greatest of the great.

For me Hendry is the greatest ever, Ronnie had the chance to win more Worlds but he didn't.

And anyone who knocks in a 147 at the Crucible is not past it and is certainly not retirement potential.

Perhaps Hendry could impart some of his mentality to Andrew Murray......?

I used to get bored watching Davis win all the time, but still liked him. I Never really liked Hendry, mainly because he knocked Davis off his perch. And of course who can ever forgive Hendry for beating Jimbo in the final all the time. Not sure how a player can be 99-0 up in frames and still lose 100-99 like Jimmy did :-( (yes i know i exaggerated slightly).
Best exciting natural talent in a player is Ronnie, very very closely followed by Jimmy. Hendry was the best over the longest period and Steve set the bar in the first place. Its a real shame that you couldn't have all 4 at their best at the same time in the same tournament.
I must admit, i am not a fan of these newer players, maybe i am getting old, but they are not the same or as exciting as the 80's and 90's guys.
I look at Semi finals and think "who the hell are these 4?"

dont know if I explained 1) too well there - what I meant was a fantasy if you like - take Hednry, O'Sullivan, Higgins, Davis etc all in a tournament and for every frame and shot they played to the peak of their abilities who would win.....

Agree with Number 24. Hendry is hugely talented, and his sheer single-minded approach to win is what all great champions have. I just wish there were more British sportsmen and woman who had this mentality and drive to dominate their sport.

#29 The fact he is a dour scot makes disliking him that much easier!!

You won't be a fan of Andy Murray either then?

Hendry looking good so far

He will win because the one thing he's never done at the Crucible is beat John Higgins because they have never played each other.

He is a grumpy sod though.

Some very naive comments here regarding "British don't like or support champions". Clearly some people don't follow other sports. Darts for example. Phil Taylor's domination started about the same time as Hendry's and isn't finished yet people support him. The best football teams tend to be the best supported. Jenson Button has a lot more fans than before he won the WC.

People are talking nonsense. The fact is that neither Davis or Hendry in their primes had any charisma or "loveable rogue" nature to their personalities. They didn't need it as they rightly were more concerned about winning than being popular.

I have to say I have been disappointed with Hendry's behaviour of late. He has actually become more arrogant and obnoxious than when he was winning when he was actually very humble. He now seems keen to make the headlines for comments which is a huge shame. Hopefully he will grow up and take a leaf out of Davis's book who is the reverse of Hendry, obnoxious when winning but humble and likeable now.

To me Davis got it right.

Does Hendry really think that in his prime he was playing the attacking game that Trump and today's starts are playing? That's just not true. Players all seem to take on pots these days that they never would have 20 years ago.

@ 37 Yes Hendry was a master tatician biding his time until the opponent made an error. Oh wait he is the record holder for number of competitive century breaks. Hendry can say whatever he likes about any player of any era because he knows he could beat anyone.

And talking about arrogance is nonsense, Hendry has the right to be bitter about his decline. He is not a hypocrite and doesn't sugar-coat the obvious facts. True legend with a champion's attitude. It isn't a coincidence the way he talks about his sport is similar to the way Michael Schumacher and Roger Federer talk about their respective sports. Past champions surrounded by pumped up youngsters, but all 3 retain their class.

Hendry was lucky in some ways that in his era there weren't too many great players around. Some very good ones yes but not great. Hendry stood alone in the 90's and had no rivals. Had he come along a decade later when O'Sullivan, Williams and Higgins started to dominate the game I doubt Hendry would have 7 titles to his name.

#39

Utter Tosh.

That is all.

#39
Mmmm not to sure about your post - he was playing and beating ROS,Williams and Higgins in the 90's?

40 and 41, Hendry himself acknowledges the average standard is far higher now than 1990s and openly said he would not win 7 world titles in this era. You may of course know more than him but I somehow doubt it.

@ 24. not sure Judd is that naturally talented. fantastic potter without doubt, but as Dominic Dale suggests he needs a plan B. Judd against Hendry,Davis etc in their prime he wouldn`t have seen a ball to pot

Quite simply the greateast snooker player of all time!!!!!!!

@26
It's "Hendry", not "Henry". H.E.N.D.R.Y.

From early on I never took to Hendry, I still haven't, but I have to say, remembering Higgins (Alex), who's style was so unique, as to be incomparable, and Davis who was such a balanced clinical player, White who I think is still the most poetic player I have ever seen, Ronnie who is amazing, a riddle,enigma,mystery,plonker,and undoubtedly the greatest cue-est ever, and Higgins (John) man for all seasons, could beat any of them on his day, I would still say the most aggressive, powerful break building- pressure applying player I have ever seen is Hendry, , plenty kudos, but not love peace all

29

I dont think Stephen Hendry is dour at all, I think the game of snooker portrays the players as dour (via there concentration) but they are really smashing chaps.
Steve Davis par example.

#39 - The reason that no-one could get near Hendry in the early 90s is simply because he had raised the bar! He brought a new level of professionalism and skill to the game that took others years to adapt to. Is Hendry the greatest ever? Yes!
Steve Davis is the only other player that matched his hunger and winning mentality.

Hendry is a GOAT - because Tony Meo made a 147 against him in the Matchroom league on 20th February 1988.