Stephen Hendry has issued a stark warning that European snooker players must urgently elevate their performance levels or face being left behind in the sport. The past two Crucible champions have both hailed from China, with Zhao Xintong claiming victory in 2025 and Wu Yize emerging triumphant earlier this week.
Hendry's Concerns Over European Talent
The seven-time world champion, who remains the youngest ever winner of the tournament, expressed his concerns on his YouTube channel, Stephen Hendry's Cue Tips. He noted that Wu Yize now sits second on the list of youngest champions following his victory over Shaun Murphy on Monday.
"It's incredible, the talent coming from China now. The young talent is incredible," Hendry said. "They are taking the game to new levels. We need some young blood from these shores - obviously with Stan Moody, Liam Pullen did really well, Antoni Kowalski did really well at the World Championship. These three are going to have to step up if they're going to keep up with the likes of Xintong and Wu Yize."
Chinese Dominance at the Crucible
A total of 11 Chinese players featured in the main draw in Sheffield from a field of 32, with only England providing more representatives (13). This surge in Chinese talent has raised concerns about the future of European snooker.
English hopeful Stan Moody, aged 19, made his World Championship first-round debut and established an early advantage against former champion Kyren Wilson before eventually succumbing 10-7. Liam Pullen, also making his main draw bow at 20, claimed six frames from Chris Wakelin. Antoni Kowalski became Poland's first representative in the tournament at the age of 22 after navigating three qualifying rounds, but his run ended in the first round with a 10-4 defeat to Mark Williams.
Wu Yize's Triumph
New world champion Wu Yize, also 22, had never progressed past the first round in Sheffield prior to this year. Yet after defeating former world champions Murphy and Mark Selby in this year's tournament, he has no intention of leaving the city he has considered home since the age of 16.
"I don't have any plans," Wu told BBC Sport following his dramatic 18-17 victory in the final. "I think I will buy a house or an apartment in Sheffield for practice and the World Championship."
Praise for Shaun Murphy
One more seasoned European player who earned plaudits from Hendry was runner-up Shaun Murphy. The 43-year-old received glowing praise during his semi-final victory over reigning champion Zhao, which led him to joke about the pundit requiring an intervention. Hendry said: "It was nigh on the perfect session. I don't think Shaun will have ever played as good a session, it was a super-human performance and it needed that to take out Zhao Xintong, because he wasn't playing badly."
Hendry's warning serves as a call to action for emerging European talents like Moody, Pullen, and Kowalski to intensify their efforts to keep pace with the rising Chinese stars.
