Ronnie O’Sullivan has backed Stephen Hendry to do whatever he wants in snooker, even turning up and playing in his underpants, as the Scot begins World Championship qualifying on Wednesday morning.
Hendry returned to the professional circuit by accepting an invitational tour card in 2020 but his return has been quite underwhelming so far.
The 54-year-old has not played much, only three matches over the current season, and has struggled to get results after initially retiring back in 2012.
He is in Sheffield this week as he attempts to win four matches and make an amazing return to the Crucible, although he odds are certainly stacked against him.
Hendry has come in for some criticism for not using the tour card fully as he has not entered many events, seemingly not practicing enough to feel confident about his game, but O’Sullivan says any critics should be more respectful.
The Rocket says his fellow seven-time world champ can do whatever he wants in snooker, having earned the right over his immense peak in the 1990s.
‘Listen, Stephen does what Stephen wants. He is a seven-time world champion. If he wants to turn up and play, then great,’ O’Sullivan told The Sportsman.
‘If he doesn’t then he has won it all. He is an absolute legend of the sport. He can come in here and play in his underpants if he likes. We should all bow to him. He is a hero of mine.
‘Others probably see him as just another player, but I don’t. I see him as one of the greatest sportsmen I have ever known. He is like Tiger Woods.
‘He puts them all to shame. He has got balls, as we say. Big trousers. It is highly unlikely he will win four best-of-19 matches – but never write Stephen off.
‘And no-one should criticise him. Even if he got beaten 10-0 and the highest break was 12, no-one has the right to criticise Stephen Hendry.’
Hendry takes on James Cahill in the first round of qualifying from 10am on Wednesday 5 April.
MORE : Stephen Hendry’s coach calls for ‘fire in the belly’ ahead of World Championship qualifiers
MORE : Stephen Hendry: Why Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby are ‘different to everyone else’
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