Stephen Hendry issues blunt Ronnie O'Sullivan verdict ahead of UK Championship defence

Stephen Hendry has fixed his verdict connected Ronnie O'Sullivan's chances of enjoying much Triple Crown glory arsenic The Rocket prepares to statesman his defence of the UK Championship

Stephen Hendry insists it would beryllium “stupid” to constitute disconnected Ronnie O’Sullivan astatine the UK Championship.

By his ain admission, The Rocket’s powers are connected the wane and helium has skipped respective tournaments already this season, citing aesculapian issues. However, it’s inactive little than twelvemonth since O’Sullivan won eighth titles astatine the some the UK Championship and Masters, taking his wide Triple Crown tally to an unthinkable 23.

An eighth world title, which would spot him spell retired connected his ain up of Hendry, continues to elude him and looks little apt arsenic each twelvemonth passes. However, Hendry argues that much large tourney occurrence for O’Sullivan cannot beryllium ruled retired if helium tin get determination adjacent to his superb best.

“On his day, erstwhile helium plays his best, he’s inactive the champion subordinate successful the world,” Hendry told Mirror Sport up of tournament, wherever helium volition beryllium connected punditry work for BBC.

“But those unbelievable performances are becoming less and farther between. It would beryllium anserine to constitute him disconnected due to the fact that if helium plays astatine his best, helium volition bash it [win the large tournaments]. But there’s nary uncertainty it’s going to get harder the older helium gets.

“You’ve got Judd Trump, who’s turning into a winning instrumentality and Kyren Wilson is having an unthinkable play arsenic satellite champion. There’s truthful galore large players retired there. If Ronnie plays his best, helium astir apt inactive is the champion player. But helium doesn’t bash it that often.”

With different interests successful the game, Hendry, who retired for a 2nd and last clip earlier this year, feels O’Sullivan’s competitory juices person faded. The five-time UK champion added: “He’s ever looked astatine different things beyond [competitive] snooker.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Ronnie triumph different Triple Crown title? Tell america successful the comments section.

“He’s got an academy successful Saudi Arabia, helium does a batch of exhibitions successful China which makes him a batch of money. So possibly the competitory broadside is not arsenic precocious up successful his priorities arsenic it utilized to be.

“It’s going to beryllium absorbing to spot if helium apples himself to tournaments likes the UK Championship, the Masters and the World Championship.”

As defending champion and No.1 seed, O’Sullivan volition unfastened the tourney against Barry Hawkins astatine 1pm connected Saturday.

Follow the UK Snooker Championship crossed BBC TV, BBC Radio 5 Live and online from 23rd November

CLICK HERE to drawback up our peculiar UK Championship publication, packed afloat of exclusive, interviews, quality and features.