Stephen Hendry and Ali Carter recently expressed their views on the quality of play at the World Championship, which took place in Sheffield in April and May. Carter’s campaign came to an end in the first round with a defeat to Stephen Maguire, while several former world champions, including Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, Judd Trump, and John Higgins, were eliminated before the semi-final stage. Carter, who has lost the world final twice to O’Sullivan in the past, acknowledged Kyren Wilson’s victory but pointed out that Wilson had faced relatively lower-ranked players on his way to the title.
Reflecting on the tournament, Carter remarked, “Kyren did brilliant to win the World Championship. I’m not taking anything away from him because Kyren is a lovely lad, but he’s played only one top-16 player in John Higgins.” He also compared his own experience of facing O’Sullivan in the finals to Wilson’s path to victory, emphasizing the challenge of defeating established champions. Despite his observations, Carter admired Wilson’s performance and wished him success in his career.
Meanwhile, Stephen Hendry, who shares the record for most world titles with O’Sullivan, raised the possibility that tighter pockets at the Crucible may have affected the overall standard of play. He noted the relatively low number of century breaks in the tournament, suggesting that the difficulty of the pockets should favor the best players. Hendry did not shy away from criticizing the quality of play at the event, describing it as the worst he had seen in a long time. However, he emphasized that the eventual winner, Kyren Wilson, deserved credit for his achievement and acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the World Championship.
In addition to the discussion of the tournament, O’Sullivan shared his thoughts on the upcoming snooker season and his participation in the Shanghai Masters. As a highly accomplished player, O’Sullivan’s perspective carries weight in the snooker world, and fans eagerly anticipate his return to competition. The Shanghai Masters, to be broadcast live on Webpressnews and discovery+, marks another opportunity for O’Sullivan to showcase his skill and compete against top players.
Discovery+ is highlighted as the streaming platform where fans can enjoy exclusive coverage of various sporting events, including the Olympic Games and the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. The platform offers comprehensive access to live sports content, making it a valuable resource for sports enthusiasts. With O’Sullivan’s return to action and the anticipation surrounding the Shanghai Masters, the snooker community looks forward to witnessing exciting matches and exceptional performances on the green baize.
Overall, the discussions involving Hendry, Carter, and O’Sullivan provide valuable insights into the world of snooker, offering perspectives on player performance, tournament dynamics, and future events in the sport. As fans and analysts reflect on the recent World Championship and look ahead to upcoming competitions, the diverse viewpoints shared by these snooker legends add depth and nuance to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the sport.
