Chris Wakelin Questions Stephen Hendry's Assessment of His Snooker Talent
Chris Wakelin, currently ranked 13th in the world, has expressed frustration over what he perceives as a lack of recognition from snooker legend Stephen Hendry. Following his 10-6 victory against Liam Pullen in the first round of the World Snooker Championship, Wakelin suggested that Hendry consistently underestimates his capabilities on the table.
Wakelin's Rise and Hendry's Doubts
The 34-year-old English player, known as The Monster, has solidified his position among the sport's elite in recent seasons. His achievements include winning the Scottish Open this year, marking his second ranking tournament title, and reaching the quarter-finals at the Crucible last season. Despite this success, Wakelin feels Hendry does not view him as a top contender.
In a post-match interview, Wakelin highlighted instances where Hendry predicted his opponents would win during televised matches. "Every single Players event, whenever I'm playing a match on TV he always says the other guy is going to win," Wakelin stated. He added that he finds humor in these comments, using them as motivation to perform well.
Specific Criticisms and Historical Context
Wakelin pointed to a recent example on Hendry's YouTube channel, where the Scot admitted he had never seen Pullen play but still favored him to defeat Wakelin. Interestingly, it was Steve Davis who initially suggested Pullen could succeed, with Hendry echoing the sentiment without firsthand knowledge of the young player's game.
Further fueling Wakelin's perception, Hendry referred to him as a "lesser seed" in a discussion about potential matchups, comparing him unfavorably to other top players. Wakelin recalled a match against Hendry in 2021, where he made a lighthearted jab about being too young to remember Hendry's prime, only to lose the game. "I've got a massive amount of respect for anyone who's ever won a tournament in this game," Wakelin emphasized, "but he clearly doesn't think I'm any good."
Looking Ahead and Personal Views
When asked about Ronnie O'Sullivan potentially surpassing Hendry's record of seven world titles, Wakelin laughed and expressed support for O'Sullivan, saying it would be "quite funny" to see Hendry's reaction. He plans to use his time off before facing either Neil Robertson or Pang Junxu in the last 16, a rematch opportunity after defeating Robertson in last year's tournament.
Wakelin's win over Pullen was hard-fought, with the match tied at 5-5 before he pulled ahead with strong breaks in the final frames. As the World Snooker Championship progresses, Wakelin remains focused on proving his critics wrong and advancing further in the competition.
