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Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
World Snooker Championship star opens up about ‘horrendous' experience before Crucible
World Snooker Championship star opens up about 'horrendous' experience before Crucible Former World Snooker Champions Neil Robertson and Stephen Hendry have both had to go through the Judgement Day qualifying round in their careers Neil Robertson detailed his "horrific" experience on Judgement Day (Image: Tai Chengzhe/VCG via Getty Images ) Neil Robertson revealed his "horrendous" experience at attempting to qualify for the World Snooker Championship with fellow snooker icon Stephen Hendry. The Australian provided a behind-the-scenes look into the gruelling final qualifying round, known as Judgement Day, where 32 players compete for a coveted spot in the main draw against one of the 16 seeded players. To reach this stage, snooker stars must endure three initial rounds, culminating in the high-stakes Judgement Day, just days before the main tournament commences. After slipping out of the top 16 in the world rankings in 2024 following a semi-final loss at the World Open, Robertson faced the daunting task of navigating the qualifying rounds for the first time since 2006. His Judgement Day encounter ended in heartbreak, as he suffered a 10-9 defeat to Jamie Jones, marking his first absence from the major tournament draw in 20 years. During an appearance on Hendry's Cue Tips YouTube channel, Robertson reflected on the growing popularity of Judgement Day, which Hendry noted had "become quite a big thing". Article continues below The 43-year-old said: "It was horrendous to be a part of last year, as much as I was trying to talk it down and just be like, 'Oh yeah it's [fine].' Robertson discussed the concept of Judgement Day with Stephen Hendry (Image: @stephenhendryscuetips/YOUTUBE ) "It's just absolutely horrific because the players there, you can just sense their desperation, of everyone around you, and when I was there last year, all the players were just looking at me like, 'Oh my god, what are you even doing here.'" Hendry shared his own experience of Judgement Day from when he first retired in 2012, noting that the final qualifying round "wasn't built up like it is now". The Scotsman triumphed over Yu Delu 10-6 in the fourth round that year, but declared his first retirement from snooker after a loss to Stephen Maguire in the quarter-finals. Robertson did commend the organisation of Judgement Day for its professionalism, suggesting that it provides a good warm-up for the main event. Neil Robertson opened up about his experience on Judgement Day (Image:) He added: "In fairness, they've actually done a great job, they've set it up like basically almost like a venue. I don't know if you've seen it? "It's set up open, like a main venue now so tables one and two at the qualifiers for the World Championships, you actually feel as though you are playing at a venue – obviously just without the live TV cameras." Article continues below By the time of the 2025 World Championship, Robertson had climbed back into the top 16 of the overall rankings, allowing him to bypass Judgement Day. However, the former world No. 1 was knocked out early by Chris Wakelin, who beat him 10-8 in the first round. Zhao Xintong triumphed over Mark Williams in the final, making him the first World Champion from China, while Robertson didn't make it past the second round of the major tournament for the fourth consecutive year.
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Stephen Hendry quizzed about snooker comeback and offers immediate response
Stephen Hendry quizzed about snooker comeback and offers immediate response Stephen Hendry made a snooker comeback in 2020 but has now addressed the recent speculation as to whether he would consider another return to the baize following his retirement Stephen Hendry has lifted the lid on his thoughts behind another potential return from retirement (Image: Alex Pantling, Getty Images ) Legendary seven-time world snooker champion Stephen Hendry has admitted he has no plans for another snooker comeback. The 56-year-old was joined by Australian snooker star Neil Robertson on his YouTube channel when asked if he would consider another comeback from the sidelines. Hendry initially retired from professional snooker in 2012 after an illustrious 27-year career which saw him win 18 Triple Crown tournaments. He also secured a record-breaking seven World Snooker Championship titles, which was later matched by Ronnie O'Sullivan. The snooker legend also competed in 57 ranking finals and emerged victorious in an impressive 36 of them. The Scot is high in the debate of the sport's greatest players, but he isn't motivated to add to his illustrious record in future. He made a surprise return to the sport in 2020 when he accepted a two-year invitational tour card for the main World Snooker Tour. He attributed his decision to improved form and confidence, but those same factors are no longer in play. Hendry potted the black ball while playing Robertson on his Cue Tips YouTube channel (via the Daily Express), which led the 2010 world champion to ask: "You going to make a second comeback with the way you're playing?" Hendry simply answered with a smile: "No." Despite only securing three wins out of 20 matches during his four-year second tenure on the tour, Hendry announced his second retirement from snooker last year. That was despite being offered the opportunity to continue on the main tour with a two-year invitational card. Article continues below The seven-time world champion has already made one comeback after previously hanging up his cue (Image: VCG via Getty Images ) Since then, he has focused on his punditry work and his YouTube channel, which is nearing 400,000 subscribers. On top of that, he also co-hosts the Snooker Club podcast with Mark Watson. Despite his legendary status in snooker, Hendry modestly excluded himself from his own snooker Mount Rushmore when asked to pick five icons for induction into the Snooker Club's Hall of Fame. But a collection of other wizened stars did make the cut, with obvious pick Ronnie O'Sullivan included at the top. "It's very close between Mark Williams and John Higgins, I'd prefer to have them joint-second," he said. "I'll go with Mark just because of his recent record against John at the Crucible. Hendry made the revelation on his Cue Tips YouTube channel (Image: StephenHendry'sCueTips/Youtube ) "He is a freak of nature, he has the best temperament of any sportsman I have seen. He maybe hasn't got the cue power of others, but he has great touch, and he is just a brilliant potter." Article continues below Williams recently finished runner-up to Zhao Xintong in the 2025 World Snooker Championship. And at 50 years old, he became the oldest player ever to make the final of the competition, possibly giving some fans hope there's life in Hendry yet as a competitor. Hendry then positioned Mark Selby, a four-time world champion, in fourth place. And he deliberated over including either current world No. 1 Judd Trump or six-time world champion Steve Davis for the fifth spot. "In fifth could be Judd Trump because of what he has won and his centuries, but he only has one world title," he said. "So I'm going for Steve Davis based on his utter domination of the 1980s."
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
World Snooker Championship star shows true colours with John Virgo comments
BBC star John Virgo is snooker royalty as a result of his successful playing career in the 1970s and 80s and his status as being one of the voices of the sport Snooker ace Neil Robertson has praised John Virgo and the BBC commentary team for their stellar work behind the microphone. The 43-year-old former world champion, who still competes at the top level, occasionally shares his insights from the commentary box. Among those he shares the gantry with is 1979 UK Championship winner Virgo, a familiar voice in snooker broadcasting. Despite his successful playing career, Virgo is perhaps best known for his role as a commentator with the BBC commentator, an organisation he joined in 1991 when he co-presented Big Break. At one stage, it looked like Virgo was going to be replaced by the BBC, after he claimed they were on the hunt for younger voices after the 2022/23 snooker campaign. Reflecting on his own stint alongside Virgo, Robertson had nothing but praise. Speaking on Stephen Hendry's Cue Tips podcast, the Australian said: "I was doing some commentary and punditry work at the World Championships last year. "You realise just how good some of those guys are in the commentary box. I thought Virgo was just absolutely amazing. The timing and the delivery of everything he is saying." Hendry, a seven-time World Snooker Championship winner who has also shared the commentary booth with Virgo, wholeheartedly agreed. He added: "The thing is, you and I, will sort of talk technically and say what is happening and everything, but they bring the excitement." Renowned for his captivating commentary and distinctive delivery, Virgo is famous for his catchphrase: "Where's the cueball going," often exclaimed when the white ball teeters towards a pocket. There was a time when it seemed fans would miss out on Virgo's voiceover skills. The commentator had announced the BBC were planning to replace him after the 2022/23 season, as the broadcaster looked to freshen things up with younger talent. After hearing the news in 2022, he told the Telegraph: "I wouldn't have been like this 30 years ago, I would have been fighting my corner. But I've realised – and it's taken me a long time to realise it – not to get caught up in something you have no control of. "I can't have any bad feelings. Maybe it's a working-class attitude I've been brought up with but there's b******s all I can do about it, so why get bothered? "I'm not going to go round on my hands and knees begging for a job. I'm past that. So I'll just get on with what I'm doing, enjoy it and treasure every moment. I understand that you get over a certain age and they want to try something different." However, the BBC reversed their decision and chose to retain Virgo in the commentary box. Speaking on the BBC podcast 'Snookered', Virgo shared their change of mind, saying: "I spoke to one of the producers and I said, 'Well you know it'll be my last year...' and he said 'No no no, we're not going to do that now. We're going to stay as we are for the foreseeable future'. "Which was fantastic. I'd have missed that terribly you know. Just going there. So for the foreseeable future, now whether that's this year, next year and that'll be it? So that was great, it was music to my ears."
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
World Snooker Championship star lets John Virgo know what he thinks with BBC comments
World Snooker Championship star lets John Virgo know what he thinks with BBC comments Neil Robertson made an honest admission about BBC's snooker commentator Jon Virgo after working with him and doing his own stint as a pundit Neil Robertson revealed his honest thoughts on John Virgo and the BBC (Image: YouTube/Stephen Hendry Cue Tips ) Snooker star Neil Robertson hailed John Virgo and the rest of the BBC for the work they do in the commentary box. Robertson, 43, is a previous world champion who is still playing at the highest level today. However, he has occasionally stepped into the gantry to voice his thoughts on all things snooker. Up there, he is joined by 1979 UK Championship winner Virgo, who has entrenched himself as one of the voices of the sport. Despite his successful career as a snooker player, Virgo is likely better known for his role as a BBC commentator, having begun his career on the microphone in 1991, where he was a co-presenter of the Big Break programme. Looking back at his own brief experience of working with Virgo, Robertson had plenty of good things to say about him. Speaking on the Stephen Hendry Cue Tips podcast, the Australian said: "I was doing some commentary and punditry work at the World Championships last year. "You realise just how good some of those guys are in the commentary box. I thought Virgo was just absolutely amazing. The timing and the delivery of everything he is saying." Hendry, who has also done plenty of commentary work with Virgo, could not agree with his former opponent more. The seven-time World Snooker Championship winner said: " The thing is, you and I, will sort of talk technically and say what is happening and everything, but they bring the excitement.' Article continues below As well as his analysis and delivery on the microphone, Virgo is also known for his catchphrase "Where's the cueball going" which he says when the white looks like it is heading for a pocket. Virgo is a popular member of the BBC snooker team (Image:) At one stage, it looked like snooker punters were not going to be listening to him anymore. Virgo said he was going to be leaving the BBC after the 2022/23 season, citing the broadcaster's desire for new younger voices. When the news was first revealed, he told the Telegraph: "I wouldn't have been like this 30 years ago, I would have been fighting my corner. But I've realised – and it's taken me a long time to realise it – not to get caught up in something you have no control of. 'I can't have any bad feelings. Maybe it's a working-class attitude I've been brought up with but there's b******s all I can do about it, so why get bothered? The BBC's decision to keep Virgo brought relief to a lot of snooker fans (Image: Getty Images ) Article continues below "I'm not going to go round on my hands and knees begging for a job. I'm past that. So I'll just get on with what I'm doing, enjoy it and treasure every moment. I understand that you get over a certain age and they want to try something different." However, the BBC U-turned on their decision and decided to keep Virgo in the commentary box. While speaking on the BBC podcast 'Snookered', Virgo revealed their change of heart and said: "Well from what I've heard recently that's not going to happen. I spoke to one of the producers and I said 'Well you know it'll be my last year…' and he said 'no no no, we're not going to do that now. We're going to stay as we are for the foreseeable future'.' Which was fantastic." He added: "I'd have missed that terribly you know. Just going there. So for the foreseeable future, now whether that's this year, next year and that'll be it? So that was great, it was music to my ears."
Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Stephen Hendy confesses to Steve Davis about 'humiliating' World Snooker Champs experience
Stephen Hendry is a seven-time world champion and widely regarded as one of the greatest snooker players of all time, but his career ended on a sour note in 2012 Snooker icon Stephen Hendry has revealed all to fellow legend Steve Davis about a Crucible quarter-final match that left him feeling 'humiliated' and led to his retirement shortly after. The Scotsman, who dominated the sport throughout the 90s with an incredible seven world titles, began his professional career at just 16 and claimed a total of 36 ranking titles. He spent nine seasons ranked No. 1 before retiring in 2012. Since then, he has become a prominent figure in the media. In a conversation with Davis, Hendry discussed some of his worst losses at the iconic Crucible, which is currently hosting a historic final between Mark Williams and Zhao Xintong. Specifically, he spoke about his 2012 quarter-final against Stephen Maguire, admitting how humiliated he felt after the 13-2 defeat that ultimately led to his retirement. Hendry had made a remarkable start to the 2012 World Snooker Championship, achieving a brilliant maximum break against Stuart Bingham in the first round and defeating fellow Scot John Higgins 13-4 in the next match. However, his game against Maguire was one he'd rather forget, reports the Express "I mean, my game was shot. Even the 147 was not... The striking of the cue ball was terrible," Hendry shared about his performance in the 2012 renewal while reflecting on his Cue Tips YouTube channel. "I had a victory over John Higgins in the next round in the last 16, which I never expected to do. "But, the match was dreadful. I mean, John was bad. I wasn't great, and I managed to win. If I got a frame early [against Maguire], it might have been a different story, and who knows what might have happened. I lost the first session 4-0. "Looking back, it's horrible that's my last game at the Crucible. A 13-2 defeat. I mean, it's humiliating. I didn't feel that bad in respect that I kind of was waiting for it to happen." When probed by six-time world champion Davis about whether he had already decided to retire before the clash, Hendry confirmed: "Yeah. That's why the 147 was so special." The snooker legend also touched on some painful memories from the iconic venue, sharing: "I mean, I felt pretty bad when Steve James beat me [in 1991], obviously with the whole Crucible curse thing. I drove up the road and I didn't say one word for four and a half hours." In response to Davis asking about his toughest defeat in Sheffield, Hendry recalled the 2002 final, in which a deciding frame was needed to separate him and Peter Ebdon - the Englishman prevailing 18-17. "Losing to Ebdon in the final," replied Hendry. "[I] beat Ronnie in the semis, it was 2002. It was probably the last time I played my best at the Crucible - that semi-final. "Before that, I thought the winner of the Championship was going to come from the winner of our match. I thought either of us would beat Matthew [Stevens] or Peter in the final. "So already I was thinking I had to take it properly. Played Peter in the final, and I didn't think there was any chance of him beating me over four sessions. "There's a difference between being super confident and being... It's a different confidence when you don't think you can lose. Listen, I played ok, but Peter played great. But to lose in that deciding frame, I was gutted."
