Snooker great Stephen Hendry has delivered a stunning verdict, declaring Chinese world champion Zhao Xintong the most pure ball striker the sport has ever witnessed, placing him above even the legendary Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump.
Praise After Saudi Triumph
The bold claim followed Zhao's impressive victory at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, where he secured his first tournament win as world champion. The 28-year-old defeated Neil Robertson 5-2 in the final, earning a massive £250,000 winners' cheque in the process.
Analysing the performance for TNT Sports, the seven-time world champion Hendry left no room for doubt. "I've repeated myself two or three times [but] he's the best ball striker I've ever seen, playing snooker," stated the Scot. "I'm including everyone in that - from the [Ronnie] O'Sullivans to the [Mark] Selbys, to the [Judd] Trumps, everyone. No-one struck the ball as pure as Zhao Xintong."
A Path Back to the Top
Zhao's journey to this point has been far from straightforward. His career was interrupted by a major match-fixing investigation in early 2023. Although he did not fix matches himself, he admitted to being "party to another player fixing two matches" and to betting on snooker.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) initially handed him a 30-month ban, which was later reduced to 20 months due to his early admission and cooperation. After his suspension concluded in September 2024, he remarkably fought his way back through the Q Tour and sensationally claimed the World Snooker Championship title in May 2025.
Proving His Class in Riyadh
His form in Saudi Arabia was a powerful reminder of his immense talent. Zhao began with a composed 4-2 win over Shaun Murphy, the player who had whitewashed O'Sullivan 4-0 in the previous round. He then edged out Judd Trump 4-3 in a gripping semi-final clash.
The final against Robertson was tightly contested until a key moment in the third frame. Zhao produced a remarkable comeback from 48-0 down to steal the frame and take a 2-1 lead, a pivotal turning point from which he never looked back.
Reflecting on his victory, Zhao said, "I didn't want Neil to know I'm nervous. I was looking forward to this final a lot because Neil is a very good player. I'm so happy to win now. Amazing this week."
With his confidence restored, Zhao now heads to the UK Championship in York, a tournament he previously won in 2021. Hendry believes he will be the man to beat, concluding, "He's going with a win under his belt - his first win as world champion - which must feel amazing to him."
