Stephen Hendry believes Ding Junhui will be jealous of Zhao Xintong after the 28-year-old became the first Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship. He secured Crucible glory with an 18-12 victory over Mark Williams, who threatened a stunning comeback in the final session but ultimately fell short. After winning the match, Zhao raised the Chinese flag high above his head.
He is the only Asian player to have prevailed at snooker’s biggest tournament, with Ding tasting defeat in his only final appearance nine years ago. The latter has been China’s flag-bearer for many years and Hendry believes he will be ‘fuming’ that Zhao managed to beat him to the achievement.
Speaking on the Snooker Club podcast, Hendry said: “It’ll be really interesting to see what Ding’s thinking. He’s been the benchmark for Chinese snooker. He will be fuming. If it was me I’d be fuming.
“The fact is that Ding is snooker in China, Ding Junhui is snooker. Overnight he is not Mr Snooker anymore. It might spur him on, who knows, but it’s something that’s going to be difficult for him to handle, actually.
“If it was me, I’m Ding Junhui, I’m not happy tonight. I don’t know Ding well, maybe he’s close to Zhao and he’s delighted for him.
“But if it was me I’m thinking: ‘I’m not happy that I’ve had so many years to do it, I haven’t managed to do it, this guy’s come along after being out of the game for two years and just done it, qualified and done it.’ He’s now the man in China.
“There’s a huge exhibition circuit, huge invitational tournament circuit apart from the ranking tournaments. Ding has to be there, Ding has to be involved, Ding is often one of the co-promoters and it’s all about Ding. It’s not going to be like that.”
Ding kept it classy in the aftermath of Zhao’s stunning victory, putting any potential frustration to one side and sending a message to his compatriot on social media.
He wrote: “I said before: I am very happy to see that the threshold I broke in the past has now become everyone’s runway! And today, someone finally reached the finish line on this runway!
“This moment of glory is the best reward for the Chinese fans who have been supporting Chinese snooker and waiting for this day! The darkness we once walked through, it was all so that people could see the light. Today Zhao Xintong did it!
“What he won is the shared dream of generations of Chinese snooker players. I’m happy for you and proud of the rise of Chinese strength.”
