Hendry picks side in Ronnie O’Sullivan row as star slams treatment | Other | Sport
Stephen Hendry has spoken about Ronnie O’Sullivan (Image: Tai Chengzhe, VCG via Getty Images)
Ronnie O’Sullivan has stormed into the final of the World Seniors Championship on his debut appearance at the tournament, having taken the competition by storm at the Crucible. ‘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 game.
The 50-year-old cruised to a 4-1 victory over Ken Doherty in his opening match, before seeing off 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, where he will face Joe Perry on Sunday afternoon in a best-of-19 frames contest. Perry has equally earned his place in Sunday’s showdown courtesy of victories over Aaron Canavan, Matthew Stevens and Craig Steadman. Yet it is not just the action on the table that has grabbed the headlines this week, as Express Sport explains below…
Stephen Hendry declines to defend Ronnie O’Sullivan
Seven-time world champion 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 Rocket was in the minority 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, stating: “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.
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Ronnie O’Sullivan’s choice of chalk has been a talking point (Image: VCG via Getty Images)
“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.”
Milkins makes ‘disrespect’ admission
Milkins confessed that he had “disrespected” snooker for far too long following his elimination from the World Seniors Championship. O’Sullivan 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.
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.”
Robert Milkins has opened up about the sport (Image: PA)
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 ought to have declined to compete when his opening match at the World Seniors Championship was relocated to the practice room. The reigning champion was left “heartbroken” by an issue with one of the match tables which resulted in his fixture against Igor Figueredo on Thursday taking place behind the scenes.
Burden eventually lost the encounter 4-0, denying him the opportunity to defend his crown in front of spectators at the Crucible. His friends and family were, however, permitted to attend.
Alfie Burden has spoken about his tournament troubles (Image: 2017 VCG)
Writing on social media following his defeat, 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.”
