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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.
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Scots snooker legend eyes another world championship – despite suffering heart-breaking loss as he approaches 50
The world number three still has his eyes on the prize NIFTY AT 50 Scots snooker legend eyes another world championship – despite suffering heart-breaking loss as he approaches 50 JOHN HIGGINS will head for Dallas to mark his 50th birthday — and revel in the fact he retains his place at snooker's top table. Scotland's four-time world champion reached the half-century this week. 1 John Higgins in action Credit: Alamy The snooker circuit is hectic but there is time off now after the Crucible, where Higgins lost to Mark Williams in the quarter-finals — on the last ball of the last frame of a 13-12 defeat. This time last year there were concerns Higgins might call it quits and hang up his professional cue. But having won two tournaments this year — the World Open and the Tour Championship — after the agony of five straight defeats in ranking finals, there is renewed optimism for next term. Higgins said: 'There's no getting away from it, to be up the top still is a great achievement. 'When I think about the players who went before, they never really did that. We are in a stronger era as well, with tougher competition. I have to give myself a pat on the back for that. 'There were more ups-and-downs than any other season in a long time. When I take stock of it all, it is probably the best season I've had in more than six or seven years. 'I have to be thankful for that. I had a good run at the World Championship but fell to a good game with Mark Williams. I can't complain. 'I think it would be good to try and win another title in my 50s. I've won in my teens, my 20s, my 30s, my 40s and it would be good to go one further. That would be a great achievement.' Wife Denise will whisk Higgo off to Texas for his birthday and he added: 'I love the history. There's the Grassy Knoll, the book depository and all the things. I can't wait to see it all.' Celtic-daft snooker ace John Higgins aims brutal dig at Rangers after Hoops' title triumph Higgins also recently took part in the Helsinki International Snooker Cup. The Scot lost in the quarter-final to world number 17, Ali Carter. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Stephen Hendry makes stance clear on snooker vs darts debate after Luke Humphries claim
The debate over what is harder - a nine-darter or a 147 break - has been a hot topic of conversation in recent times, and snooker legend Stephen Hendry has now had his say Stephen Hendry has partially sided with Luke Humphries in the ongoing debate between the worlds of darts and snooker. The argument hinges on which is more challenging - nailing a nine-darter or completing a 147 break. Snooker's Shaun Murphy has consistently fanned the flames, boasting that he has achieved both a nine-darter and a golfing hole-in-one, plus numerous maximum breaks throughout his career. The 2005 world champion ruffled feathers, particularly those of Humphries, during a charity event last year that featured players from both sports. Humphries opined that a 147 was trickier for an amateur, but less so for a pro. He said: "You don't play snooker, you don't play golf, you don't play darts - you give them a snooker cue, some darts and a golf club... I think they'd do the hole-in-one first, the nine-darter second and then the 147 last. I think that would be harder. But to a professional, I think a nine-darter is harder than a 147." In reply, Murphy joked: "I didn't know you were a comedian too." Humphries held his ground, retorting: "What's funny about that? "When you're a professional, you make it look easy to hit a 147. Stats show it too. In frames and legs of darts, there are more 147s than nine-darters." The world's top darts player, who has already guaranteed a spot in the Premier League play-offs with two nights to go, has surprisingly received support from snooker icon Hendry. The seven-time world champion, while faithful to his own sport, acknowledged that the amateur versus professional discussion adds an intriguing twist. "It was Luke Humphries that said it, if you took each sport as a professional... anyone can luck into a hole-in-one but if you're a professional trying to get one, that's very, very difficult," Hendry said on the Snooker Club podcast. "A darts player, under pressure, trying to get a nine-darter... Obviously, I still think the 147 [is harder], I'm always going to go that way because it's 36 shots of perfection. "But it does bring another argument into it if you say what is the hardest to do as a professional in competition?" Following his latest 147 break at the World Open in China against Zhou Jinhao in March, Murphy was told during an interview that he was providing darts players with "some ammunition" in the ongoing debate. He cheekily replied: "Maybe we're just better at what we do, I don't know. That has been said by some." He added: "In all seriousness, I never really wanted to compare the things. It started with me and [darts commentator and ex-player] Wayne Mardle having a drink, discussing which was more difficult. "I'm sure there are more things out there more difficult than each other. Listen, I've made snooker look very difficult at times. When it goes well, I'm really pleased."
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Stephen Hendry accepts part of Luke Humphries' point in darts vs snooker debate
The never-ending debate over what is harder - a nine-darter or a 147 break - has been given a new twist after Luke Humphries was backed by snooker legend Stephen Hendry Stephen Hendry has partially backed Luke Humphries amid a long-running snooker versus darts debate. The dispute over what is tougher - a nine-darter or a maximum break - is rumbling on. Shaun Murphy has regularly stirred the pot after claiming to have completed the unique treble of a nine-darter and a hole-in-one, as well as several maximum breaks in his top-level snooker career. Murphy and world darts No.1 Humphries clashed over the issue at a charity event involving players from both sports last year. Humphries said a 147 was tougher for an amateur player, but not so for a pro. He argued: "You don't play snooker, you don't play golf, you don't play darts - you give them a snooker cue, some darts and a golf club... "I think they'd do the hole-in-one first, the nine-darter second and then the 147 last. I think that would be harder. But to a professional, I think a nine-darter is harder than a 147." Overhearing, Murphy jokingly replied: "I didn't know you were a comedian too." Humphries then shot back: "What's funny about that? When you're a professional, you make it look easy to hit a 147. Stats show it too. In frames and legs of darts, there are more 147s than nine-darters." While remaining loyal to snooker, Hendry can see Humphries' point of view. Speaking on the Snooker Club podcast earlier this year, the seven-time Crucible champion said: "It was Luke Humphries that said it, if you took each sport as a professional... anyone can luck into a hole-in-one but if you're a professional trying to get one, that's very, very difficult. "A darts player, under pressure, trying to get a nine-darter... Obviously, I still think the 147 [is harder], I'm always going to go that way because it's 36 shots of perfection. But it does bring another argument into it if you say what is the hardest to do as a professional in competition? In March, Murphy couldn't resist another subtle dig at darts after hitting a maximum break at the World Open in China, saying: "Maybe we're just better at what we do, I don't know. That has been said by some." But he added: "In all seriousness, I never really wanted to compare the things. It started with me and [darts commentator and ex-player] Wayne Mardle having a drink, discussing which was more difficult. "I'm sure there are more things out there more difficult than each other. Listen, I've made snooker look very difficult at times. When it goes well, I'm really pleased."
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Mind-blowing John Higgins response after Mark Allen's 'sad' comment and retirement threat
Four-time world snooker champion John Higgins bowed out of the Crucible following defeat to Mark Williams, but he has proved one of his doubters wrong nonetheless Snooker icon John Higgins has been playing like a man possessed since Mark Allen suggested he was "sad" watching 'The Wizard of Wishaw' struggle for results. Allen made the comment after beating one of snooker 's greatest servants in the first round of the 2024 Masters, at which point Higgins was three years removed from his most recent ranking title. The 49-year-old Scot ended that drought this past March when he beat Joe O'Connor to clinch the World Open title. And although his 2025 World Snooker Championship ended with a quarter-final defeat to Mark Williams on Wednesday, his displays in Sheffield have proved he's not to be discounted just yet. "I know that John had his chances and I feel for John. Not out there I didn't, I wanted him to miss every shot he played, but I feel for him now," said Allen almost 18 months ago. "He's a really good guy, and he looks like someone who is just struggling to get over the line. If he just believed in himself a bit more, he'd be winning tournaments again." While those remarks may have been intended as encouragement towards his peer, it wasn't long after that there was talk of Higgins retiring from the sport. And the veteran himself appeared to hint at a permanent exit after losing to Allen once more at the 2024 Tour Championship, just a few months after his rival's "sad" comments. "I've always said to myself I'd love to still be a seed and in the top 16 competing at the Masters when I'm 50," said the Scot, who will turn 50 in May. "Staying in that bracket throughout my whole career would be a good milestone. "If I reach that one, then I'll maybe be looking to see where my life is at that moment. Not my snooker life but my personal one." Fast forward to today, however, and it's evident Higgins' place is on the World Snooker Tour competing with the best in the business. The finest of margins kept him from reaching a 12th World Championship semi-final after a clutch miss on the blue saw him succumb 13-12 to Williams. Despite the end result, the performance was the latest in a list of impressive showings this season. And there appears to be at least some overlap between Allen's pointed remark on Higgins' confidence and the recent pick-up in his play. It wasn't long after his win at the World Open that Higgins followed up with another major win at this year's Tour Championship at the beginning of April. In fact, the Lanarkshire legend has made it to at least the last eight of the last five consecutive ranking tournaments. As well as Allen's comment possibly acting as motivation in itself, it seems too coincidental that results have picked up for Higgins in the year or so since he started consulting a sports psychologist. It was at the start of 2024 that The Wizard of Wishaw revealed he was receiving aid on the mental side of his game to dispel some "negative thoughts". "I'm speaking to someone because there has been negative thoughts," he told Metro in February last year. "There's no beating about the bush, obviously in the last week while I've lost some big matches, and they would always surface, every time, so I'm trying to speak to someone about that, having more positive thoughts and who knows?" The snooker world at large now has at least some idea following his pick-up in results this season. Ronnie O'Sullivan is another firm advocate for employing a mentality coach after his work with Dr. Steve Peters, with 'The Rocket' on the verge of reaching the World Championship semis himself. "I've had a good season, the atmosphere out there was incredible, a standing ovation walking in," Higgins told the BBC following his agonising defeat to Williams, choosing to focus on the positives of the day. "There's no better place to play, win or lose."
