Stephen Hendry unable to defend Ronnie O’Sullivan in ban calls | Other | Sport
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s choice of chalk has been a talking point (Image: Getty Images)
Ronnie O’Sullivan won the World Seniors Championship in his very first appearance at the tournament, having taken the field at the Crucible by storm. The Rocket, who was knocked out of the 2026 World Championship at the same venue by John Higgins last month, has enjoyed considerably greater fortune in the over-40s competition.
The 50-year-old cruised to a 4-1 victory over Ken Doherty in the opening round, before defeating Peter Lines 4-2 to secure his place in the semi-finals. There, he posted a 7-5 win over Robert Milkins to book his spot in the final, defeating Joe Perry 10-4 on Sunday.
Yet it is not solely the action on the table that has captured the headlines this week….
Stephen Hendry declines to defend Ronnie O’Sullivan
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry has lent his voice to Neil Robertson’s calls to ban the Triangle Chalk that was used by O’Sullivan at the Crucible this year. The Englishman was amongst the minority still using the traditional chalk, which critics have argued causes kicks and damages the table.
During an episode of his Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips YouTube show, the Scot offered his view on the matter, saying: “That was another big talking point, the chalk – chalk-gate.”
Holding up his own chalk for comparison, he continued: “Ronnie using Triangle Chalk when everyone else is using this stuff. Stops kicks, stops bounces, there’s no marks on the cloth.
“Neil Robertson actually called for World Snooker to ban it, which I don’t disagree with if I’m honest. I think it spoils the game as a spectacle.
“I know John Higgins, when he was playing Ronnie, he was smiling quite a lot – sort of wry smiles. [He was] constantly getting the cue ball cleaned, constantly wiping the table.
“I do think there’s a slight call, possibly, for it to be banned. But whether they could go down that route, I don’t know.”
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Milkins makes ‘disrespect’ admission
Robert Milkins confessed that he had “disrespected” snooker for far too long following his elimination from the World Seniors Championship at the hands of O’Sullivan. The Rocket was forced to dig deep against the Milkman, who held leads of 3-2, 4-3 and 5-4 at various stages in the best-of-13 frames encounter.
Stephen Hendry spoke about Ronnie O’Sullivan (Image: PA)
Nevertheless, O’Sullivan ultimately secured a 7-5 victory to book his place in the final. Reflecting on his casual attitude towards the sport afterwards, Milkins said: “I’ve disrespected the game for too long.
“I was struggling to get back into it. There are signs of playing well but I just missed too many easy balls. It will come but I’ve got to put a couple of weeks in now before Q School.”
He added: “Ronnie scares the hell out of me always. I respect Ron. No other player does that to me. It is bad enough playing him when you are playing well. But when you are struggling, you’ve got no chance.”
Defending champion ‘should have refused to play’
Alfie Burden has admitted he should have declined to compete when his opening match at the World Seniors Championship was moved to the practice room. The reigning champion was left “heartbroken” by an issue with one of the match tables which resulted in his clash with Igor Figueredo on Thursday being staged behind the scenes.
Burden ultimately suffered a 4-0 defeat, denying him the opportunity to defend his crown in front of spectators at the Crucible. His friends and family were, however, permitted to attend.
Writing on social media following his elimination, Burden said: “To say I’m disappointed would be a huge understatement, don’t remember feeling this low after a snooker event…
“I wasn’t in the mental state of mind to play that match in a practice room to be honest. I was in a state of shock at what was unfolding. Literally heartbroken.”
He also revealed on Saturday that his appeal to delay the match until Friday so it could take place in the main arena was rejected. He added: “Can I make it perfectly clear I wasn’t given an option to play my match in the morning.
“I asked [if] could I play the next morning [and] was flatly refused. Was told I had to play in the cupboard. [Dominic] Dale [and] Stevens was given a choice, I wasn’t and I should have refused to play.”
