Rocket can still be fired up to land world titles
SNOOKER legend Stephen Hendry believes Ronnie O’Sullivan is far from washed up.
Seven-time world champion Hendry relished his box-office battles with the Rocket.
But O’Sullivan has been eclipsed by potting sensation Judd Trump this season and even snubbed the Masters with snooker having taken a back seat this term.
The Rocket, a five-time champion of the world, won just one title last season and the 44-year-old entered fewer events than the previous campaign.
But Hendry said: “I think the hunger is there. I still think Ronnie wants to be up there. He still wants to be involved, there’s no doubt about it.
“The fact he was playing in events to try to qualify for the Tour Championship shows that. It would be very good for the sport to see the rivalry continue between him and Judd.
“On his day he can still beat anyone. He’s an unbelievable player but I think it’s six years now he hasn’t won in Sheffield.
“It baffles me. I find it incredible.”
O’Sullivan stormed to five titles last season but new World No.1 and world champion Trump eclipsed that feat by winning a record six this season.
Hendry holds the Crucible record of seven world titles – and Trump doesn’t think the Rocket will now better that.
Amazingly O’Sullivan has not been beyond the last eight on any of his last five trips to Sheffield.
Trump said: “I’m 90 per cent sure he won’t do it. I can see Ronnie maybe getting one more, certainly not beating it. Maybe get to seven but I would say he would end up on six.”
A view shared by six-time champion Steve Davis, who offered: “I think Stephen Hendry’s record is secure.
“I think it will be very tough now for Ronnie to overcome seven.”