Hendry and the Rocket are currently tied on seven world titles after O’Sullivan triumphed in Sheffield 12 months ago.
The Englishman is back to defend his title, starting on Saturday against Pang Junxu, and Hendry reckons that his piece of the record will be gone in 17 days.
The legendary Scot has always admitted that he does not want anyone taking his records, but is resigned to the Rocket out-stripping his world title haul.
‘He’s taken snooker to a new level, he’s an absolute genius,’ Hendry told BBC podcast Snookered.’ And if he does do the eighth, which I think he will, I don’t see anyone else playing well enough to stop him over these long-frame matches, so I do think he will win the eighth.’
Hendry is taking it in his stride, joking: ‘Which is good because then he can hopefully come on my YouTube channel as eight-times world champion. It’s all about me!
‘I don’t see who’s going to stop him, to be honest. I’m pretty much resigned myself that he’s going to do it, but I’m not happy.’
O’Sullivan on his own chances this year told Eurosport: ‘Sometimes you’ve got to start again. You climb the mountain then you’ve got to go down to the bottom, you climb the mountain then go back down to the bottom.
‘You can’t just stay on top all the time. For me, it’s just about consolidating and not losing the plot trying to stay on top all the time. It’s just not possible.
‘But I’m ready, I’m fresh and looking forward to it.’
O’Sullivan kicks off the defence of his title against Pang Junxu at 10am on Saturday 15 April.
MORE : Ronnie O’Sullivan hails ‘unbelievable’ Pang Junxu ahead of Crucible showdown
MORE : Ronnie O’Sullivan unconvincing on World Championship chances: ‘It’s not all in my hands’
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