Stephen Hendry told Ronnie O’Sullivan that he would win the World Championship in 2013, despite his lack of pre-tournament action.
O’Sullivan hadn’t competed in a single ranking tournament prior to his dramatic victory at The Crucible in 2013 after announcing that he would take an extended career break.
Having won the world championship a year earlier, The Rocket automatically qualified for the following year’s event, meaning he did not need to qualify for the tournament which he eventually won 18-12 against Barry Hawkins.
Despite his lack of action, Hendry—who is tied with O’Sullivan on seven world titles—revealed he predicted his rival’s glory 12 years ago and says he could do it again this time around.
O’Sullivan hasn’t played competitively since snapping his cue and kicking the table at the Championship League in early January, but is expected to return for the tournament in Sheffield on April 19.
If he does, Hendry believes he could go all the way.
Speaking on his Snooker Club podcast, Hendry said: “One of my hot takes was going to be that Ronnie is going to turn up and win it.
“We want something a bit controversial and out there.
“What a story it would be. All these players, Kyren Wilson, Judd Trump, winning all these tournaments. Robertson back, Higgins, Selby. And Ronnie decides just to turn up and win it.
“It would be an unbelievable story.
“I remember when he did it before he messaged me before to ask if I thought he could come back and do it.
“I said, ‘Of course you can. All you need is a solid month of practice to get yourself sharp.’ It’s the same this time.
“I don’t know what his cue situation is because obviously he smashed his last one.
“If he had a month behind closed doors practicing, putting the work in and getting himself sharp then of course he could win.
“He’ll be one of the top two or three favourites to win it. It would be an incredible story.”
Asked who he thinks will win, Hendry said: “Mark Selby showed some glimpses that he’s playing well.
“He’s my pick for Sheffield, his game is coming on nicely and he’s won it four times.
“He’s obviously got the perfect game, arguably, for Sheffield. But I think it’s pretty open this year.
“There are a few contenders and some of the second round draws are going to be tasty.”
MORE RONNIE O’SULLIVAN
- Ronnie O’Sullivan literally forced his opponent to surrender with rapid 68-minute victory
- Exasperated Ronnie O’Sullivan had fans in stitches with cheeky quip to referee in tense final
- Referee stopped Ronnie O’Sullivan to call security and throw out spectator
- Officials forced to intervene after Ronnie O’Sullivan accidentally destroyed snooker table
