21.4.12

THE GREATEST

For a time this afternoon Stephen Hendry was the no.1 trending topic on Twitter.

I wonder what this meant to him? Knowing Stephen, probably nothing. Neither did all the handshakes and congratulations, well meant though they were. Neither, even, will the money, welcome though it is.

Why? Because for the authentic greats of sport, achievement is all. To have made a third Crucible 147, the 11th of his career, is what really matters. Everything around it – all the platitudes and comment – is an irrelevance.

Much of sport exists as a soap opera. Snooker is not immune. But amidst the tantrums and spats and hype, we must never forget that the true test of greatness in sport is achievement.

Hendry has achieved more than any other player of the television age and today underlined once again why he is, by any objective measure, the greatest.

The first few shots of the maximum were all missable but he quickly achieved prime position and never looked like missing, even potting a Thorburnesque yellow.

I read in the Daily Telegraph today that Judd Trump had suddenly made snooker more attacking.

Trump is a delight to watch but snooker has been attacking for more than 20 years.

Hendry is the modern era’s true game-changer. He pioneered a way of playing which all those who came after him copied. Some, such as Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins, have arguably improved on it.

But the reason they all play how they do is because they saw Hendry do it, to remarkable effect in his pomp.

Today’s overall performance was a reminder of what made him so great: all out attack, nerveless potting and clinical break-building.

This is the way snooker is now routinely played – witness Neil Robertson’s three successive centuries on the other table.

The question now is how far Hendry can go in this tournament. On this form a long way, but let’s not get carried away.

We live in an age of opinions – blogs, forums, Twitter and the rest. But when all the chatter is blown away and forgotten – which it will be – achievements will stand in time.

Stephen Hendry’s achievements will be looked back on by snooker historians of the future as landmark feats, defining the era in which snooker saw playing standards rise.

As for the present, the game can cherish a champion still capable of defying the years, the critics and the comment.

When all else is gone, his achievements speak for themselves.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

quite simply, the greatest ever.

nothing the ronnie police can say will ever take that tag away from lord hendry.

Anonymous said...

It was extraordinary to watch and long may it last.

JAMIE O'REILLY said...

Hi David. Ziu Ting refereed gr first ever Crucible match today. Stephen Hendry. V. Stuart Bingham. Hendy's 147 break, was, in my view, " Classic."

Claus said...

Honestly speaking, this was one of my all time favorite blog posts. Well said.

Anonymous said...

Class is permanent.

JAMIE O'REILLY said...

Hi David. Hendry's 147 today, came 15 years to the day, since O'Sullivan's 5 minutes and 20 seconds 147, at Sheffield, in 1997.

21-4-1997 and 21-42012.

Anonymous said...

This is a blog post from the heart and shows you in your best light mr Hendon

Alain (not Robidoux) said...

Well said, Dave. Very eloquent.

Concerning his 147 and general fantastic performance yesterday, Hendry admited that the jet lag from his recent trip to China may have helped him to play better. I believe that as I have experienced this condition more than once in my life. When I feel tired and I have to play a match of snooker or tennis, I very often get better results than when I'm fully energized. The muscles in the body are more relaxed, the arms are looser and I don't feel the pressure as much. As strange at it may seem, having to much energy is not always a good thing. The trick is to find a good balance between being to tired and to rested, which, unfortunately, is not always possible to control, if ever...

I'm sure that many of you who practice a sport on a regular basis or other physical activity which requires precision has experienced this state of mind and body many times. And I wouldn't be surprised that it played a role, at least to some extent, in yesterday's results for Spephen.

Now, let's see if he'll be able to carry this "tiredness" for the rest of the tournament...

Anonymous said...

Best first day ever.

Anonymous said...

A lot seems to be getting made of his jet lag and lack of preparation, but I think a large part of it was that he didn't have time to dwell on doubts. I always fancied him to win this match, Bingham has been there for the taking most of the season (although that said it isn't in the bag yet but would require a monumental collapse for Hendry to blow this one). I think both Higgins and Hendry will like the draw—Hendry has a decent chance against Higgins on current form, and Higgins for his part knows that Hendry blows hot and cold these days so could turn in a clunker in the next round. I think both players will be disappointed not to make the QF now.

Anonymous said...

Dave I wonder if you could have a word with someone at WS about FB. Some seriously offensive comments are posted and never taken off, I don't think they moderate at all. I know it's nothing to do with you but I've had no response from them.

Anonymous said...

agree 753

also, 811, complain to fb

Anonymous said...

Fair point 1006 but they should have a moderator of their own.

Anonymous said...

Hendry...pots the red misses a colour, pots a red misses a colour, pots a red misses a colour...like me down the club lol.

Kenn Fong said...

Dave, thanks for putting this all in perspective. As a Yank who is watching from California (and getting up at 2 AM to do it!) I am new to the sport, so the legends are,just names to me. Thanks for this warm and reverent (and well-deserved) tribute to Hendry.

Anonymous said...

154, in your opinion they should

in my opinion they shouldnt.....unless you want an extra wage just so they can keep ONE SOCIAL NETWORK OUTLOOK IN CHECK.

fairly certain fb react to complains. youre onw fb's website....not WS. WS has a page on FB.

thats the difference ;)

kildare cueman said...

I don't think Hendry necessarily made the game more attacking,- Jimmy White was attacking before him, but Hendry was the first to consistently win tournaments with an all out potting game.

Trump may be as good a potter as Hendry, but nobody, before or after him, has come even close in bottle/temperament. He loved pressure.

Anonymous said...

What's FB?

Anonymous said...

FB = twitter

Anonymous said...

The best player ever was 'Hurricane' Higgins. He was a character, Hendry is just boring.

Anonymous said...

i found hurricane higgins boring and predictable

Anonymous said...

The best players ever are Ken Doherty and Stephen Lee, and Hendry was never boring.