STEPHEN HENDRY is bewildered as to why current world snooker champion, Luca Brecel, seemingly has seen his performance “drop dramatically”.
The seven-time Crucible champion believes that Brecel has lowered his effort and “cannot grasp” the reasons for this downturn.
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Hendry, now 55, aims for the Belgian Bullet as the 29-year-old’s recent challenges threaten his spot on next year’s professional circuit.
Brecel celebrated his triumph in the sport’s premier championship 19 months prior by acquiring a Ferrari, a Range Rover, and a Porsche.
Over the subsequent four months, he relished his victories by visiting 14 different nations and posting snapshots from various stunning locations on social media.
Nevertheless, Brecel’s focus has recently changed, notably reaching the quarter-finals of the Scottish Open in early December.
He admits that the criticism surrounding his performance feels “odd”.
He stated, “I don’t see any issues. I believe the next decade will be my peak.”
Despite this, a legend of the game remains skeptical.
On his self-titled Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips YouTube channel, the Scot voiced his disappointment regarding Brecel to fellow player Dominic Dale.
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The cueist turned television analyst expressed: “He has genuinely plummeted. Nonetheless, he is such a remarkable player.”
“It’s incredibly disheartening for me to see someone with exceptional talent… still in his twenties, who has the potential to win numerous tournaments over the next 10-15 years, raking in substantial sums… yet appears indifferent.”
Stephen Hendry makes bold statements regarding Ronnie O’Sullivan’s retirement, suggesting something is off with the seven-time world champion
“Everyone has their own take on life and their methods, but ultimately, if you excel in something, why wouldn’t you pursue it?”
Brecel remarked earlier this month: “I feel like I’m regaining my usual form.”
“I’m doing everything right, so it’s just a matter of time until I start excelling in tournaments again. I don’t see any issues.”
However, Hendry seems doubtful.
He told Dale, “It’s a peculiar situation, isn’t it? He talks as if he wants to compete in Iron Man events, yet I’m like, you’re a snooker player, my friend.”
“I just don’t understand it, but if he’s happy, then that’s wonderful.”
“Still, I believe he holds immense talent; why wouldn’t you devote the next decade to your craft… Talent to burn.”
Comprehensive List of All-Time Snooker World Champions
BELOW is a detailed list of snooker World Champions by year.
This record relates to the modern period, which is typically considered to have begun with the 1968-69 season when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took charge of the sport.
The first World Championships took place in 1927 but were halted from 1941-45 due to World War II and from 1958-63 amidst a dispute within the sport.
During that time, Joe Davis (15 titles), Fred Davis, and John Pulman (each having 8 titles) were the most accomplished players.
Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan co-hold the record for the most titles in the modern era, each having won seven.
- 1969 – John Spencer
- 1970 – Ray Reardon
- 1971 – John Spencer
- 1972 – Alex Higgins
- 1973 – Ray Reardon (2)
- 1974 – Ray Reardon (3)
- 1975 – Ray Reardon (4)
- 1976 – Ray Reardon (5)
- 1977 – John Spencer (2)
- 1978 – Ray Reardon (6)
- 1979 – Terry Griffiths
- 1980 – Cliff Thorburn
- 1981 – Steve Davis
- 1982 – Alex Higgins (2)
- 1983 – Steve Davis (2)
- 1984 – Steve Davis (3)
- 1985 – Dennis Taylor
- 1986 – Joe Johnson
- 1987 – Steve Davis (4)
- 1988 – Steve Davis (5)
- 1989 – Steve Davis (6)
- 1990 – Stephen Hendry
- 1991 – John Parrott
- 1992 – Stephen Hendry (2)
- 1993 – Stephen Hendry (3)
- 1994 – Stephen Hendry (4)
- 1995 – Stephen Hendry (5)
- 1996 – Stephen Hendry (6)
- 1997 – Ken Doherty
- 1998 – John Higgins
- 1999 – Stephen Hendry (7)
- 2000 – Mark Williams
- 2001 – Ronnie O’Sullivan
- 2002 – Peter Ebdon
- 2003 – Mark Williams (2)
- 2004 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (2)
- 2005 – Shaun Murphy
- 2006 – Graeme Dott
- 2007 – John Higgins (2)
- 2008 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (3)
- 2009 – John Higgins (3)
- 2010 – Neil Robertson
- 2011 – John Higgins (4)
- 2012 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (4)
- 2013 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (5)
- 2014 – Mark Selby
- 2015 – Stuart Bingham
- 2016 – Mark Selby (2)
- 2017 – Mark Selby (3)
- 2018 – Mark Williams (3)
- 2019 – Judd Trump
- 2020 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (6)
- 2021 – Mark Selby (4)
- 2022 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (7)
- 2023 – Luca Brecel
- 2024 – Kyren Wilson
Most World Titles (modern era)
- 7 – Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan
- 6 – Ray Reardon, Steve Davis
- 4 – John Higgins, Mark Selby
- 3 – John Spencer, Mark Williams
- 2 – Alex Higgins
