Ronnie O’Sullivan is widely considered the greatest snooker player ever (Picture: Getty Images)
Mark Selby would get the better of Ronnie O’Sullivan if both players performed at their peak, reckons Stephen Hendry.
It is a pretty hot take from the legendary Scot as O’Sullivan is considered by the majority of pundits, players and fans to be the greatest snooker player of all-time.
However, Hendry reckons that Selby’s very best would beat the Rocket’s more times than not, partly due to his absolute mastery of the safety game.
‘I think he’s one of the greatest players the game has ever seen,’ Hendry said on his Cue Tips channel of the four-time world champion.
Referencing his British Open win this year, Hendry said: ‘Semi-final against Mark Alen and the final against John Higgins, I think when he plays like that he is unplayable.
‘I’m including anyone, including O’Sullivan as well. I think if they play their best against each other Mark Selby wins more than Ronnie.
‘His safety game is like no other and he scores so heavily when he’s at his best.’
Mark Selby is currently ranked number five in the world (Picture: Getty Images)
It is O’Sullivan who has matched Hendry’s record of seven World Championship titles, but the 55-year-old says when Selby reached four Crucible titles in 2021, he expected the Jester from Leicester to be the first to beat his tally.
‘When people used to say, “who’s going to break your record?” I thought it was Selby who would break it, when he won four, I thought he’s going to break my record.’
Selby was brilliant at the British Open in September (Picture: Getty Images)
At 41 years old Selby still could match or beat Hendry’s tally and will be one of the favourites yet again at the Crucible this season.
Hendry was in conversation with veteran pro Dominic Dale who agreed that peak Selby is basically impossible to overcome, comparing him to a legendary figure of the tennis court.
‘When Mark Selby is at his best he’s pretty much unbeatable,’ said Dale. ‘I’ve likened him to Novak Djokovic. When Djokovic is at his best he doesn’t get beaten, same as Mark Selby.
‘He can actually out-safety John Higgins!’
Selby and O’Sullivan are back in action at the Masters next month, with the Rocket facing John Higgins in his opening game and the Jester taking on Ali Carter.