Stephen Hendry's honest confession about Ronnie O’Sullivan prospect at World Snooker Championship

 Ronnie O'Sullivan is on course to win a record-breaking eighth World Snooker Championship, but Stephen Hendry has admitted he would "hate" to see the Rocket make history

Stephen Hendry has the joint-most world titles, alongside Ronnie O'Sullivan

Stephen Hendry has confessed he would "hate it" if Ronnie O'Sullivan were to surpass his record with an eighth World Snooker Championship win in Sheffield.

O'Sullivan is currently in the thick of competition at the Crucible and is in with a chance to write himself into the record books. After a thrilling 13-9 victory over Si Jiahui on Wednesday night, 'The Rocket' has secured his spot in the semi-finals.

Remarkably, this comes off the back of him having not played professionally for three months, as he chose to take an extended hiatus from snooker. Now, as hopes rise among O'Sullivan's fans that he might become the most triumphant player at the Crucible, not everyone shares in the excitement over his success.

The 2022 edition of the tournament saw O'Sullivan match Hendry's record of seven world titles, when he defeated Judd Trump with a score of 18-13 in the final.

Faced with the possibility that his adversary could now outdo his own achievements, the competitive spirit within the retired Scottish snooker champ is more evident than ever; Hendry has openly admitted his reluctance to witness O'Sullivan clinch the 2025 World Snooker Championship title.

Former snooker legend Steve Davis, whose six-world title record was eclipsed by Hendry, imposed a tough question on him during an episode of the show Stephen Hendry's Cue Tips on the BBC. He inquired how the 'King of the Crucible' would cope commentating as O'Sullivan sinks the victorious final balls, reports the Express.

The snooker icon is two games away from surpassing Stephen Hendry's record

After a pause, Hendry admitted: "Of course I'll hate it." Davis chimed in with a teasing comment: "How are you going to get the words out of your mouth?" To which Hendry responded: "And sound genuinely happy for him?"

Hendry couldn't hold back a chuckle as he said: "No, if it happens it's going to be weird," but conceded that regardless of the competition's outcome: "Listen, whether he's still there in the final weekend or not, we're both happy he's in it, right?"

Davis nodded in agreement but ended on a savage note: "There's a lot of people hoping O'Sullivan will win just to see the look on your face." The exchange underlined Hendry's competitive nature and how deeply he values his records in the sport.

O'Sullivan could become the first player with eight world titles

Should the 49-year-old O'Sullivan secure the title on May 5, he would set the record for being snooker's oldest world champion, a record already earned from his victory over Trump three years earlier.

Next in line for O'Sullivan is a clash with the talented Zhao Xintong from China in the semi-finals, with their match slated to start Thursday at 1pm. Meanwhile, the field features other top players, including three-time world champ Mark Williams and Trump competing in their side of the draw.