Ronnie O'Sullivan has launched a surprising verbal attack on fellow snooker legend Stephen Hendry, describing him in just seven words as someone who was 'not a superstar' in Britain. The comment came during a discussion about the greatest players in the sport's history.
O'Sullivan's remarks echo sentiments Hendry himself expressed in 2008, when he said British sports fans do not appreciate sustained success. 'In Britain we don't appreciate people who have been a major success in sport,' Hendry told the BBC. 'It is grudgingly given to you.'
The debate over snooker's greatest player has long been contentious, with Hendry's seven world titles and 36 ranking events often cited as evidence of his dominance. However, O'Sullivan's attack suggests a lingering resentment over how Hendry's achievements were perceived.
Hendry retired in 2012 after a 13-2 defeat to Stephen Maguire at the Crucible, admitting that qualifying for the tournament had become 'demeaning'. He described playing in front of sparse crowds as 'not a big day for me, I'm just there trying to survive'.
Despite O'Sullivan's criticism, Hendry's record remains formidable: 775 century breaks, 11 maximum 147s, and 27 consecutive Crucible appearances. Many still regard him as the greatest to have ever picked up a cue.
