pic.twitter.com/jWWr6mfcAd. Technically, the most successful player at the world championship is. In recognition of his excellence in the sport, Hendry was knighted, receiving a MBE recognition in 1994. O'Sullivan was riding on a crest of a wave by the end of the year and after edging out Peter Ebdon 9-8 in the quarter-finals and Mark Williams 9-6 in the semis, the Rocket destroyed Ken Doherty 10-1 to land his third UK title. Stephen Hendry proceeded to defend his title for the following four years. Four months later he'd bring a packed house to their feet yet again with his third maximum break of the season and his third at the Crucible. His five match wins during this edition took him to 74 Crucible victories, four more than one of other Hendrys few remaining records. These days, he is playing not just against the new players but his own past, judged by the performances of his pomp and suffering in comparison. His all-time leading tally of 20 Triple Crowns, which also consists of seven UK Championships and seven Masters, is now two more than what Hendry achieved in his legendary career, although the Scotsman condensed his 18 (7 worlds, 5 UKs & 6 Masters) into a formidable 10-year spell from 1989 to 1999. To qualify for that would be incredible. The only trophies Hendry has ever wanted to handle are the ones he has won. You put all that work in to get the record but if he does then fair play because he's taken the game to another level. Ronnie O'Sullivan's sixth World Championship broke Stephen Hendry's record for the most career ranking titles and also extended his all-time Triple Crown tally to 20. It was almost like that. "For me - and I've said it since 1990 - he's the greatest player ever to lift a snooker cue. There have been as many as 20 rankings tournament in a single season in recent years. He intends to continue playing, and his tour card has been renewed through 2024. He represented his nation at the highest level of a hugely popular sport with distinction, winning 36 ranking tournaments including seven World Championships. However, this latest unforgettable run at an empty Crucible began with an astonishing 10-1 triumph over Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in just 108 minutes - the quickest best-of-19 frame match ever by 41 minutes - but he had to battle much harder to see off Ding Junhui and Mark Williams 13-10. Hendry was full-on attack, casting safety aside and always looking to open the balls and kill frames off in one visit. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Hendry won his first major junior tournament, the Scottish U-16 Championship, at age 14.Around this time, he appeared on the junior version of the BBCs Pot Black, a televised single-frame snooker competition that contributed to the games resurgence.At 15, Hendry won the Scottish Amateur Championship. Even before his victory, O'Sullivan was already considered by many to be the greatest player of all time not least because of the number of ranking titles he has collected during his storied 30-year career. Earlier breaks of 116 and 105 had moved OSullivan onto 999 and any speculation that he would wait for the World Championship to reach a thousand was ended with a sumptuous 134. "Hendry: "Well he can't become the youngest world champion"Davis: "But he is playing like Benjamin Button." Ronnie's reply"I'm never going to be good at getting out of snookers. Considering all categories of tournament, including ranking, non-ranking and invitational, Steve Davis has won the most titles in snooker. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Steve Davis says he cannot imagine anyone bettering Stephen Hendry's tally of seven World Championship titles. Although Stephen Hendry officially retired following the 2012 World Snooker Championship, he announced he would be returning to the World Snooker Tour in 2020.Hendry has competed in a partial schedule during 2021 and 2022. Just 16 when he joined the circuit, he was completely driven from the start. In 2006, however, he demonstrated that he still possessed the talent that made him such a force in the 1990s when he claimed the number one ranking once again. From 1992 until his defeat by Ken Doherty in the 1997 World Championship final, he won 29 consecutive matches at the Crucible, a modern-era record. Stephen Hendry: Key records Ranking title wins: 36 World titles: 7 UK titles: 5 Masters titles: 6 Crucible match wins: 70 Crucible win percentage: 77.78% Career win percentage: 68.54%. Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan jointly hold the record for the most World Snooker Championship titles with seven. Ronnie O'Sullivan 2014 UK Championship - Matthew Selt, 14. Higgins showed some early promise, developed a maturity in his game beyond his years and won the junior event at the 1991 World Masters in Birmingham, beating fellow 15-year-olds Ronnie OSullivan and Mark Williams en route. The following season, he successfully defended that title and won the World Doubles Championship with partner Mike Hallett. Copyright 2017-2023 Rookie Road Inc. All rights reserved. They each joined the pro circuit the following year. Once he decided he'd be the greatest player in the world, he achieved that.". Considering all categories of tournament, including ranking, non-ranking and invitational, Steve Davis has won the most titles in snooker. Having spent most of his career doing his own thing, he suddenly became friendly with the other players and, by his own admission, lost some of his edge. "It was a mixture of embarrassment, anger, frustration, sadness, everything," Stephen Hendry says as he remembers how his dominance of snooker unravelled into, in his mind . Hendry won five consecutive Masters titles between 1989 and 1993 and five consecutive world titles between 1992 and 1996, both records in the modern era. His 16 centuries in the 2002 world championship also set a record. 'It makes me so angry!' Mon Oct 15 2018 - 13:17. One of snooker's all-time greats Scotland's Stephen Hendry remains the player with the most World Championship titles to his name in the modern era following his record seven Crucible crowns won from 1990-1999. At the moment it is about trying to get back to playing some good snooker.". This is a shame as the audience at the Meadowbank Centre would surely love to salute him. 1995: Beats Nigel Bond in the World Championship final. Prodigy then, legend now. . Even Neil Robertson is laughing by the end of the title-winning break. He had 24 hours to decide whether to take it and he could not resist. He has played only a handful of events and found victories hard to come by. Updates? All 12 of the Crucible 147 breaks in multiscreen ranked by speed.Ronnie O'Sullivan's unbreakable record is only challenged by his second maximum while @nr147 is the new entry at number eight. Ranking the game's top five players in history, including World Championship stars. Hendry, 43, retired on Tuesday after a 13-2 quarter-final defeat by Stephen Maguire ended his 27th consecutive appearance at the Crucible. At 46 years and 146 days, the oldest ever world champion has most ranking titles (39), most Triple Crowns (21), most UK Championships (7), most Masters titles (7), most career centuries (1,170) and most maximum breaks (15), including the fastest ever made. Tuesday 03 May 2022 09:19. Graeme Dott, raised on the Easterhouse estate in Glasgow often associated with social decay, demonstrated his iron toughness by becoming world champion in 2006. Even before his victory, O'Sullivan was already considered by many to be the greatest player of all time not least because of the number of ranking titles he has collected during his storied 30-year career. Due tohis early success, Hendry earned the nickname The Golden Boy. His continued dominance led him to also become known as The Ice Man and The King of the Crucible. Even though he failed to defend his world championship title in 1991, Hendry struck back the following year, taking down White once again in the final of the 1992 World Snooker Championship. Evans slams 'disgusting' prize money in women's snooker as Baipat claims world title, Hendry had stated his main aim was to come through four qualifying rounds to return to the Crucible, scene of his finest moments in the sport, when he embarked upon his comeback after working with much-lauded SightRight coach, "I know that kind of means nothing, but when I first started with Stephen Feeney, I wanted to get back to enjoying playing snooker again even if it was on the practice table,". Hendry changed the way snooker was played, ushering in a more attacking era and. Stephen Hendry believes Mark Selby to be a greater threat to his record of seven World Snooker Championship titles than Ronnie O'Sullivan, says Steve Davis. This is generally known as the start of the 'modern era'. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2011 Paul Hunter Classic - Adam Duffy, 12. Who has won the most World Snooker Championship titles? Stephen Hendry has opted out of entering the 2022 World Snooker Championship qualifiers only 12 months after returning following a nine-year absence. Unlike White or even Davis, he did not play for the pure love of snooker but because of an obsession with being the best. Hendry, 43, retired on Tuesday after a 13-2 quarter-final defeat by Stephen Maguire ended his 27th consecutive appearance at the Crucible. Just by being here as world number one no less the Romford man was setting a record for most consecutive Crucible appearances with 30, a tally that is level with Steve Davis overall record. "I would say no, because there are so many great players competing against each other to win every tournament," he told BBC Sport. After winning his first World Championship in 1990, he became the youngest player ever to lift the title at 21. 'One from the archives' - Hendry makes fantastic brown to win frame, 'That is the Hendry we remember well!' "John Higgins is on four, it's very hard to see anyone reaching seven," said Davis, a six-time world champion. The winner of this weeks Scottish Open receives the Stephen Hendry trophy. Indeed OSullivans time span of winning major titles which now stands at 29 years is testament to the astounding longevity of his greatness compared to anyone whos ever picked up a cue, Hendry included. 'Feels amazing' Higgins ends 13-month title drought by retaining Championship League crown, Watch Robertson produce magic as Trump leads final Championship League group. Hendrys father bought him a junior-sized snooker table for Christmas when he was twelve.He became obsessed with the game, quickly developing his skills, and began competing in junior amateur tournaments. This year he made the back pages for making amends in majestic fashion by compiling a breathtaking 147 break in the deciding frame of his semi-final with Mark Selby. OSullivan has already ticked off the other major records Hendry held including most Triple Crown wins and most ranking tournament titles. Harry Latham-Coyle. 1996: Fifth consecutive world title comes with final victory over Peter Ebdon. Career Total Statistics Tournament Record Most Frequent Opponents Rounds Reached Century Frequency Centuries per Season Graph Ranking History Prize Money History. He shares the record for most World Snooker Championship wins with Ronnie OSullivan: both have seven titles. MORE:Is Ronnie O'Sullivan snooker's GOAT? He'd previously brushed aside Dott (6-3), Ding Junhui (6-2) and Jimmy White (6-1) as he continued to dazzle the crowds. In 2020, Hendry accepted a tour card for the World Snooker Tour, indicating his return to professional play. There, the Rocket punished Mark Selby 10-4 but the Jester would of course get his revenge in the World Championship final later that season. It almost took the pressure off me kind of thing, not that I'm under pressure to do anything. Rocket Ronnie's 30 years at Crucible O'Sullivan set to pass another Hendry record, 'Crucible return is ultimate goal' Hendry ready to continue playing, Age winning first ranking title: 18 (1987 Grand Prix), Age winning first world title: 21 (1990 World Championship), Age winning last ranking title: 36 (2005 Malta Cup). Perhaps it had to if he was to avoid serious burnout. While his comments about needing to lose one arm to drop out of the world's top 50 were still going viral, it looked as though he'd bow out when supposedly playing recklessly against Mark Selby in the semi-final. The Scot, who dropped out of the elite top 16 earlier this season and is currently ranked 23, admitted having to qualify for this year's World Championship for the first time since 1988 "was not a nice feeling". Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2007 UK Championship - Mark Selby, 9. It was one of six tons he managed in the final - another record - and his victory at the age of 37 meant he was the oldest player since Ray Reardon in 1978 to become world champion. No player since Hendry in 1996 had retained the trophy while his 128th Crucible century during the 18-12 triumph over Barry Hawkins saw him move past the Scotsman's all-time record. Last week, he was thrashed 5-0 by Matthew Stevens in the German Masters qualifiers. Hendry was 30 and the extraordinary intensity he had given to be the best seemed to wane. OSullivan beat Judd Trump to win his seventh World Championship, I couldnt care less what Stephen Hendry or anyone else says Allen on slow-play critics, Why theres no hiding place for anyone at the Shoot Out, he was fined several times in the last 12 months. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. He has played a partial schedule in 2021 and 2022, never making it past the second round of a tournament. Technically, the most successful player at the world championship is Joe Davis, who won 15 consecutive titles from 1927 to 1946. At 20, he captured the Masters and UK Championship, and at 21 was crowned the youngest ever world champion. Following the 1996 world championship, Hendrys play slipped. "You could still have business interests and still play, but he's chosen not to. Ranking the game's top five players in history, including World Championship stars. "The ultimate goal is to play one more match at the Crucible. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stephen-Hendry, Electric Scotland - Biography of Stephen Hendry. That year he won the Dubai Classic, the Asian Open, the Scottish Masters, the UK Championship, and the Masters. "Hopefully, if I can keep getting better and keep improving, my technique becomes reliable and I can get to a better pace, then next year will be the goal to get back to the Crucible," he said after his win over old foe White last year. It was the eighth maximum of his career and he followed it up by thrashing Stephen Maguire 10-2 for his fourth UK title. BBC commentators and presenters for 2022 World Snooker Championship. That year he also won the Australian Masters and successfully defended his Scottish Professional Championship and World Doubles Championship titles.. He might not have been the last snooker king of Scotland but was the man who inspired a nation, and who brought it respect. But why is that? He turned professional the following year, and when he won the Grand Prix in 1987, he became the youngest player to win a tournament. Some were more successful than others but they became regular faces on the circuit. Rookie Road may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Hendry has the longest unbeaten streak in ranking tournament play, winning 36 consecutive matches in 1990 and 1991. Despite eventually signing the official WPBSA players' contract after initially refusing to do so, O'Sullivan decided to miss virtually the entire 2012-13 season but thankfully announced at the end of February that he would return at the Crucible. He has the record for most century breaks during a tournament, scoring 16 centuries during the 2002 World Snooker Championship. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 2007 Northern Ireland Trophy - Ali Carter, 8. BBC commentators and presenters for 2022 World Snooker Championship. Eight years on from his initial retirement from the professional sport at the age of 43 at the end of the 2011/12 season . He hadn't reached the final since his defeat to Mark Selby in 2014 and hadn't even gone beyond the quarter-finals in this time, while his first-round defeat to qualifier James Cahill 12 months earlier went down as one of the biggest shocks in World Championship history. Until 1982, only the world championship counted as a ranking event; two others the International Open and the Professional Players Tournament were then added, as was the UK Championship in 1984. Bio. He competed in the World Amateur Championship that year, setting a record for being the youngest entrant ever.. We look back at his 28 years of astonishing milestones, achievements statistics, maximum breaks, and fan-pleasing antics. Davis, who lost the 1989 and 1990 UK Championship finals to Hendry, continued: "In a way I feel that it's quite a sad day for me. pic.twitter.com/kkjnHt983m. "One thing you never stop missing as a sportsman is the buzz you get from a crowd. MORE:Is Ronnie O'Sullivan snooker's GOAT? He said: "I think it meant more to him than it does to me, to have seven world titles. But in 2014,. Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan jointly hold the record for the most World Snooker Championship titles with seven. He is much older and less driven, and the game has moved on with far more players capable now of playing to a high standard. Ronnie OSullivan is the greatest snooker player of all time. As a seven-time World Champion, Hendry is the most successful player in the modern era of the World Snooker Championship and holds the record for the most seasons as world number one. The record was previously set by Stephen Hendry back in 1999. Nobody could stop him this time as he downed former champions Peter Ebdon (10-4), Mark Williams (13-6) and Neil Robertson (13-10) before waltzing past Matthew Stevens (17-10) in the semi-finals and Ali Carter 18-11 for the title. Walter Donaldson became the world champion in the post-war era, but for a long time, Scotland lagged behind the other UK nations. Davis, 54, beat Hendry in the 1989 World Championship semi-finals en route to winning his last title at the Crucible, with Scotsman Hendry turning the tables at the same stage five years later. While many had given the enigmatic Rocket GOAT status on talent grounds long before he'd surpassed Stephen Hendry's records for most ranking titles (36) and Triple Crowns (18) due to the . Tai Chengzhe/Visual China Group via Getty Images. Stephen Hendry has been one of the most successful snooker players in recent history and is widely regarded as one of the best to ever play the game.Tied with Ronnie OSullivan at seven titles apiece, no one has won more World Snooker Championships in the modern era than Hendry.Keep reading to find out all about his background and career, as well as what the snooker superstar is up to today. We share it, its alright to share that, Hendrys a legend of the game, an absolute legend of the game. Evans slams 'disgusting' prize money in women's snooker as Baipat claims world title. Mark Allen, Mark Selby and John Higgins had all thwarted his attempts to lift the Crucible trophy for a fourth time as he failed to get past the quarter-final in any of the previous three seasons. His top break of 141 was the highest in a World Championship final, beating O'Sullivan's previous best mark of 139 in 2001. Turning professional at 17, Hendry made a strong start in his first season, winning the 1986 Scottish Professional Championship. Higgins, 47, continues to have a successful career at the top level with 31 ranking event victories to his name, including four world titles. What is the prize money at the 2022 World Snooker Championship? Yes, that's yet another record and four clear of Hendry. Fast forward to the 2012 World Championship, which he lost to Stephen Maguire, after which he announced his retirement. What TV channel is 2022 World Snooker Championship final? Ranking the game's top five players in history, including World Championship stars. Ronnie OSullivan registered the 1000th century break of his extraordinary career to win the final of the 2019 Players Championship. His tour card was subsequently renewed for another two seasons.. Eight years on from his initial retirement from the professional sport at the age of 43 at the end of the 2011/12 season, Hendry accepted an Invitational Tour Card from World Snooker Tour to pave the way for an incredible comeback to the sport that he once dominated. When the 96/97 season began, there were nine Scots ranked inside the top 64 and plenty more coming up on the rails. He managed it in six minutes and there was an amusing moment at the end when he removed the sponsor logo from his waistcoat! Finishes Tournaments played: 3 Category Winner The age of professionalism in Scottish snooker came courtesy of a shy teenager who possessed a laser-like focus rarely witnessed before or since. At 20, he captured the Masters and UK Championship, and at 21 was crowned the youngest ever world champion. Earlier in the tournament he'd beaten Marcus Campbell (10-4), Ali Carter (13-8), Stuart Bingham (13-4) and Judd Trump 17-11. He reeled off six consecutive frames to establish a four-frame advantage at the interval and despite a brief rally by his opponent he wrapped up victory with a break of 78. Ronnie O'Sullivan - 1999 Grand Prix v Graeme Dott, 4. Top 5 Ranked Men's Snooker Players Of All Time. Stephen Hendry has admitted he did not want Ronnie OSullivan to equal his haul of seven World Championship titles, and does not want him to surpass their now joint-record. The 53-year-old Scotsman won 70 matches from 90 played at the Crucible between 1986 and 2012 when he appeared 27 times and lifted the world trophy on seven occasions in 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1999. The rate at which he's been losing his records hasnt been lost on Hendry, who was teased by Hazel Irvine and Steve Davis while on punditry duty about OSullivan potentially reaching 16 centuries at a single World Championship. With Judd, we all knew he wasn't playing his best. He repeated as world champ from 1992 to 1996. O'Sullivan's longevity at the top is almost as remarkable as his breathtaking standard of play and his mind-boggling collection of records, titles and century milestones. Hendry jokes with ref, The seven-time world champion accepted a two-year wild card from former World Snooker Tour chairman Barry Hearn at the outset of the 2020/21 season and played his first match since the 2012 World Championship when he lost 4-1 to. Tai Chengzhe/Visual China Group via Getty Images. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. In terms of weeks spent as world number one, as of April 18, 2022, Stephen Hendry tops the list. Ronnie O'Sullivan has won more ranking titles in snooker than any other player, just ahead of Stephen Hendry. It capped a tumultuous tournament for O'Sullivan, who had threatened to launch a breakaway tour then required a final-frame decider to edge past veteran Ken Doherty in round two. But I'm not going to lie and say I did want him to equal that because I didn't., Stream top snooker action, including the Shoot Out, live on, 'Feels amazing' Higgins ends 13-month title drought by retaining Championship League crown, Zhao and Yan to miss World Championship ahead of match-fixing hearing. While his Triple Crown success dried up for a few years, O'Sullivan was still building his tally of ranking and non-ranking titles and it surely seemed just a matter of time before he'd finally go all the way on the biggest stage of all. It earned him 75 of the 11million+ he's now won 30 years later. While many had given the enigmatic Rocket GOAT status on talent grounds long before hed surpassed Stephen Hendrys records for most ranking titles (36) and Triple Crowns (18) due to the countless moments of unfathomable genius and blockbusting entertainment hed treated us to since bursting onto the scene in 1993, the statistics have now landed the knockout blow. John Higgins has won four and is good enough to win another four; it is hard to say.". His triumph, which came a quarter of a century after he won his first United Kingdom crown as a 17-year-old, also saw O'Sullivan nudge ahead of Stephen Hendry with 19 Triple Crown titles - comprising the World and UK Championships and the Masters. At age 30 (seven years younger than Reardon was when he won the first of his six world titles) Hendry considered retirement, but he persevered, working with former coach Frank Callan. Way back in 1993 at the age of 17 he became the youngest winner of a ranking event at the UK Championship, and 27 years on he's bagged a record-breaking 37th as the oldest Crucible champion since Reardon in 1978. The seventh, though, was like a dam breaking. "But records are there to be broken. His swashbuckling professional career spanning 28 glorious years has taken snooker fans to mesmerising heights and even at the age of 44, his continued brilliance and popularity across all generations is keeping him very much at the forefront of the sport. Enjoy. He declared the match over when missing a red in frame six despite leading 24-0 at the time and although he later apologised to Hendry and his fans, O'Sullivan was fined 20,800 for his actions. O'Sullivan's sixth world title came on his 28th appearance in a row here, and during the final he played his 1,847th Crucible frame to creep past the record previously set by Hendry of 1,846. Hendry continued his ascent in his third professional season, winning his first world ranking titles at the 1987 Rothmans Grand Prix and the 1988 British Open. "John Higgins is on four, it's very hard to see anyone. He's going to be winning this a few times and the other guys better get their act together. As an added bonus, here's how he equalled Stephen Hendry's century break record of 775 against Ricky Walden Ronnie O'Sullivan's incredible career in numbers, RONNIE O'SULLIVAN WINS HIS SIXTH WORLD SNOOKER TITLE AT THE CRUCIBLE, Ronnie O'Sullivan wins UK Championship 1993, B&H Masters 1995 Final: Ronnie O'Sullivan Vs John Higgins Part 2, SNOOKER UK CHAMP 1997 final O`Sullivan vs Hendry part 2, Stephen Hendry 147 v Ronnie O'Sullivan Decider Charity Challenge 1997, 2001 World Snooker Championship Final Ronnie O'Sullivan vs John Higgins, 2004 World Snooker Championship Final Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Graeme Dott Session 4 (BBC), 2005 Snooker the Masters Final Ronnie O'Sullivan vs John Higgins Frame 9-13, DECIDER O'Sullivan v Selby SF 2007 UK Championship, 2007 Snooker UK Championship Final Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Stephen Maguire Frame 9-12, Ronnie's 147 v Williams at the 2008 World Championship, 2008 World Snooker Championship Final Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Ali Carter Frame 21-24, 2009 Snooker The Masters Final Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Mark Selby Frame 13-18, Ronnie O'Sullivan v Ali Carter 2012 World Championship, Amazing 2013 World Championship Final | O'Sullivan - Hawkins, Selby v O'Sullivan FINAL FRAME 2014 Masters HD1080p. From March 1990 to January 1991, Hendry won 5 straight titles and 36 consecutive matches to post the longest unbeaten string in the sports history. At the end of the 198990 season, Hendry, at 21 years 106 days, topped Jimmy White 1812 to become the youngest world champion ever. In 1996, with an 1812 victory over Peter Ebdon, Hendry captured his sixth world championship, a feat only two other players (Ray Reardon in the 1970s and Steve Davis in the 1980s) had achieved in the modern era. Glaswegian Alan McManus had already turned professional in 1990 and made an immediate breakthrough, reaching the UK Championship semi-finals and winning the Masters qualifying event in his debut season. O'Sullivan returned to the sport just in time for the Masters after a near eight-month hiatus in which he decided to defend his UK Championship title in December 2015. The Romford potter has amassed 52 more Crucible centuries (179 vs 127) to take his astonishing overall career tally to 1,061 compared to Scotsman's mark of 775 - which is second on the all-time list - while 15 of those were maximums. **Hendry resumed playing in 2021 after nine years out, but his future on the tour is unclear. History repeated itself three years on from his maiden world title in the sense he'd suffered a first-round exit 12 months earlier, this time against Marco Fu despite firing in a 147 break. Technically, the most successful player at the world championship is. Although they've both thrilled the Sheffield crowd with three 147s apiece at snooker's spiritual home, the Rocket's incomprehensibly brilliant maiden maximum in five minutes eight seconds will never be surpassed and it speaks volumes that the closest anyone has ever got is O'Sullivan himself when clocking six minutes and 30 seconds against Marco Fu in 2003. Later Career He became the first player to score the maximum of 147 three times in tournament play, recording his first 147 in 1992 and two more in 1995 (he scored additional maximums in 1997 and 1998, two in 1999, and others in 2001 and 2009). His comeback was much anticipated but has been largely underwhelming. Joe is a sub-editor for Sporting News UK. In terms of weeks spent as world number one, as of April 18, 2022, Stephen Hendry tops the list. Twelve months earlier, the Rocket hit the headlines for the wrong reasons at the Barbican when forfeiting his quarter-final against Stephen Hendry when trailing 4-1 in the first to nine frames. "It's been an unbelievable career," Taylor told BBC Radio 5 live. Stephen . By becoming the first player since Paul Hunter in 2002 to retain it, O'Sullivan could celebrate a record seventh Masters title. "I can't really envisage it happening, there's just going to be more and more players knocking each other out.". Once again, Hendry was setting records, with an unprecedented seventh world title. Hendry, O'Sullivan, Davis and the players with the most trophies, Is Ronnie O'Sullivan snooker's GOAT?