Stephen Hendry has delivered a blunt message to Zhao Xintong, dismissing the so-called 'Crucible curse' as 'nonsense' ahead of the World Snooker Championship. The Chinese star became his nation's first world champion last year by defeating Mark Williams 18-12 in the final, and now bids to become the first debut winner to retain the title since the tournament moved to Sheffield in 1977.
Hendry, a seven-time champion who himself failed to defend his first title in 1991, told Zhao during an appearance on his 'Cue Tips' show: 'It's nonsense. It's [just] something we can talk about on TV.' Zhao acknowledged that Chinese fans and media discuss the curse but insisted it would not affect his performance, saying: 'I play myself, not the opponent.'
Zhao arrives at the Crucible in outstanding form, having won the World Grand Prix, Players Championship and Tour Championship in the second half of the season. He begins his defence on Saturday against qualifier Liam Highfield.
The 2026 tournament also features Ronnie O'Sullivan, who lost to Zhao in last year's semi-finals, facing Crucible debutant He Guoqiang as he seeks a record eighth world title. Other first-round highlights include Judd Trump against Gary Wilson, and Mark Selby versus 2024 finalist Jak Jones.
