15 September 2023 , 11:20
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Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan has named Stephen Hendry as the greatest player of all time, ahead of Steve Davis and Joe Davis.
Hendry won seven world championships during his first spell as a professional and remains the youngest world champion in the sport's history. O'Sullivan is the only man to have won as many world titles in the modern era as Hendry, equalling his record last year.
But The Rocket refused to name himself among the five greatest players in the history of snooker. Instead, he picked Hendry in the top spot, despite the Scotsman's struggles since first retiring in 2012.
Asked for his top five ‘legend players in history’ O’Sullivan said: "Stephen Hendry, number one. Steve Davis, number two. Joe Davis, number three. Ray Reardon, number four. John Higgins, number five."
Asked whether he should have a place in the list, he said: "I don’t name myself." O'Sullivan was speaking after beating Ali Carter in his opening game of the Shanghai Masters, setting up a clash with Higgins in the quarter-final.
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Higgins is third on the all-time list of ranking event winners, having won four world championships. And the Scot is a man who O'Sullivan clearly holds in the highest regard as a player.
"I’ve already put him in my legends list, so everyone knows what I think about John as a player. He’s been playing really well so far this season. he looked good in Germany, looked phenomenal in his matches here so far," O'Sullivan added.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who do you think is the greatest snooker player of all time? Comment below.
Ronnie O'Sullivan named Stephen Hendry as the great player of all time (Getty Images)While he named those earlier players as the best to have ever played snooker, it is current world champion Luca Brecel who is exciting The Rocket the most. Brecel stunned the world by winning at The Crucible earlier this year, earning O'Sullivan's respect.
"Luca Brecel is amazing, I love watching him he’s my favourite player to watch, he hits the ball so well. That’s just the way we play the game. If you ask Judd and Luca do they go out there to entertain they’d probably say no. They’re just out there playing their game, it’s just their style," he said.
O'Sullivan was beaten by Brecel in the quarter-finals of the World Championships this year. And after the game, the Englishman labelled the Belgian Bullett a "phenomenal talent".
"Everyone has different styles, but I think the crowd enjoy more attacking snooker. He’s such a good player, I love watching him play. Such a dynamic player, full of talent, probably the most talented player I’ve ever seen," he said at the time.
"Phenomenal talent, phenomenal player, lovely boy, I wish him all the best and I hope he goes on and wins the tournament now. I don’t think he realises how talented he is. It’s very hard for you to see your own gift, but he is one talented snooker player."