Poll: R.O'Sullivans greatest triumph at the World (year)

IMO once you've won a major you have the experience.

It took Ronnie much longer to get his first WC not because of lack of experience but because of lack of temperament.

Hendry peaked young, Ronnie took longer. Players peak at different ages is all.

vodkadiet wrote:When Hendry was at his prime O'Sullivan never got a look in. O'Sullivan had to wait until Hendry was well past his best to beat him at The Crucible.

The ironic thing is if Hendry had retired when he should have, there would be no debate as to who was the best of all time.

Hendry was actually well past his best when he beat O'Sullivan at the 2002 Worlds.

Don't forget that O'Sullivan outplayed full peak Hendry in two UK Finals. This is a great achievement. Especially the first one where he was not even 18. And I don't agree with your statement concerning 2002. The fact that he past his best at that time doesn't change the fact, that Hendry played a very great tournament in 2002 like in his golden times and should have won his 8th title.

And concerning the 2004 World Semi, when Ronnie totally destroyed Hendry, Hendry was not at his peak but he was still a very good player,comparable with the O'Sullivan of 95 or 99. He was still winning tournaments at that time which btw includes a strong 9:6 victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan at the final of the British Open in the same season (03/04).

The fact, that Hendry hasn't won a major after 99 is always a black shadow on his career and he himself knows it, especially when he is seeing how a 37 year old O'Sullivan and 36 year old Higgins are winning the world. But I still consider Hendry as the greatest of all time because of the brillant 10 years and the level he played and the titles he has won.