Stephen Hendry Backs Mark Selby for 2026 World Snooker Championship Glory
With an unparalleled seven World Snooker Championship titles to his name, Stephen Hendry possesses a deep understanding of what it takes to triumph at the Crucible Theatre. In a recent interview, the snooker icon has singled out another former champion as his standout favorite for the 2026 tournament, highlighting a season of remarkable performances and intense competition.
A Season of Unpredictable Winners Sets the Stage
The current World Snooker Tour season has been marked by an extraordinary diversity of champions, making predictions for the Sheffield event more challenging than ever. Barry Hawkins' victory at the Welsh Open on Sunday night solidified this trend, becoming the 14th different winner of a ranking event this campaign. Notably, this list excludes high-profile players like Kyren Wilson, who has secured non-ranking titles such as the Masters and Shanghai Masters, along with legends Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins.
With major tournaments like the World Open and Tour Championship still on the horizon before the World Championship, the landscape could shift. However, Hendry has expressed strong confidence in a player who has already claimed three titles this season: Mark Selby.
Mark Selby's Dominant Form and Hendry's Praise
Selby's impressive run includes a stylish victory at the UK Championship in December, complemented by wins at the Champion of Champions and Championship League Invitational. His scoring prowess is undeniable, leading the tour with 63 centuries so far this campaign. Hendry believes that Selby's combination of aggressive scoring and exceptional safety play positions him as the frontrunner for the Crucible crown.
'I love watching Selby. I think Selby's a genius, always have done,' Hendry remarked on the WST's Snooker Club podcast. 'One of the misinterpretations of the way he plays...I think if he plays another negative player, he gets dragged into that kind of thing, but his safety play, he plays shots I could never think of. He's just an absolute genius. And what he's done this season is score. He's top of the centuries list, he's scored really heavily. If he can bring everything together the way he won the UK, for me he's still favourite for Sheffield, even though I think Xintong will go deep.'
Zhao Xintong's Sparkling Form and Defending Champion Challenge
Hendry is also a fervent admirer of the current world champion, Zhao Xintong, who has been in scintillating form recently. The Cyclone secured back-to-back victories at the World Grand Prix and Players Championship, though he experienced a last-16 defeat to Stuart Bingham at the Welsh Open, showing signs of fatigue. Hendry views the opening match as defending champion as a significant hurdle for Zhao, but predicts a deep run if he can overcome it.
'Even though he didn't win last week, I think he's operating at a different level to everyone else,' Hendry said of the 28-year-old. 'There's obviously a couple of big ones to come. The World Open in China – there's always huge expectation on him for that one – and then the Tour Championship, which is long frame matches. I think if he gets though the first round of the Crucible he can have a very deep run there. But if he were to win the World Open and the Tour Championship that might affect him. He's still young and fit, but it might affect him.'
Ronnie O'Sullivan's Wildcard Status and Focus
Ronnie O'Sullivan remains a wildcard entry for this year's World Championship, having played sparingly this season and struggled with results when he has competed. The Rocket is scheduled to appear at the World Open this month, but Hendry questions his level of commitment to tournaments outside the World Championship.
'I think the way Ronnie lives his life now, I don't think he puts a lot of importance on much,' Hendry explained. 'He's stated publicly that the only thing he's interested in is trying to win an eighth world title. That's the only thing he seems to mention that gets his juices flowing. I think he'll turn up to the World Open and just see what happens. We all know how good he could play at his best. Can he do it over a sustained period of a whole week? That's the question. But I don't think he'll put a lot of importance on it, I don't think so. It doesn't mean he's not going to try! He's going to try. The Class of 92, they're such great competitors. Even if he's going there not that bothered if he wins or loses. When he puts his suit on, he'll be trying.'
As the snooker world gears up for the 2026 World Championship, Hendry's insights underscore a season brimming with talent and unpredictability, with Selby emerging as a clear favorite in the eyes of a true legend.
