**Ken Doherty Sounds an Alert for Ronnie O’Sullivan as Zhao Xintong’s Naivety Exposed**
Zhao Xintong’s powerful performance at the 2025 World Snooker Championship has not only earned him the title but has made ripples throughout the sport, signalling the arrival of a new contender for snooker’s highest honours. However, amid the celebrations of his victory, former world champion Ken Doherty has offered both praise and a caution—particularly for snooker icon Ronnie O’Sullivan, who found himself defeated by Zhao in the semi-finals.
The 28-year-old Zhao’s breakthrough has been marked by a free-flowing, bold style at the table—so much so that snooker followers have drawn parallels with O’Sullivan himself. Doherty, reflecting on Zhao’s rise, warned that the Rocket may face further upsets if he underestimates the strategic threat posed by the Chinese champion’s dynamic game. “He’s definitely the real deal,” Doherty acknowledged, echoing sentiments shared by Stephen Hendry, another legend of the sport.
Despite his championing of Zhao’s raw talent and potential to dominate snooker, Doherty spotted a crucial vulnerability—one that might hinder Zhao’s long-term supremacy if not addressed. In his post-tournament analysis, the Irishman highlighted Zhao’s penchant for high-risk shot selection, labelling some of his decisions as “naive” considering the pressure of the occasion. “He was going for pots regardless of difficulty, sometimes when caution would have suited him better,” Doherty remarked.
According to Doherty, this aggressive approach worked wonders over the marathon matches at the Crucible, helping Zhao dispatch heavyweights such as O’Sullivan. Yet, he stressed that Zhao’s cavalier tactics could be his undoing in short-format events, where a handful of mistakes are often enough to derail even the most talented player. “Consistency could be a challenge in shorter matches if he doesn’t refine his choices,” Doherty noted.
In offering guidance, Doherty looked to Judd Trump’s evolution as a benchmark. He observed how Trump managed to combine fiery break building with careful, tactical enhancements as his career progressed. Doherty believes that if Zhao can “add a few more dimensions” to his already formidable arsenal, “he may collect more titles and possibly even additional world championships.”
Zhao’s triumphant run has set the stage for a renewed power struggle at the top of snooker, placing additional pressure on O’Sullivan, who has maintained supremacy for decades. Nevertheless, Doherty rejected any notion that O’Sullivan’s era is over. “Ronnie still has so much to contribute,” he insisted, underlining O’Sullivan’s peerless achievements and relentless pursuit of excellence over a 30-year span.
The conversation about continuity versus change extends beyond these two figures. Doherty was quick to commend the calibre of other snooker veterans, including John Higgins and Mark Williams, each of whom continues to exert significant influence at the highest level. According to Doherty, these distinguished players “will have more to say in the next couple of seasons,” ensuring that experience and innovation remain in lively dialogue on the baize.
Doherty, who captured the world title himself in 1997, suggested that Zhao’s daring style, reminiscent of O’Sullivan at his breathless best, puts him in pole position to become snooker’s new standard-bearer. “He’s all set to pick up the baton and carry it brilliantly,” Doherty concluded, noting Zhao’s potential to steer the sport into a fresh era if he tempers his exuberance with greater tactical maturity.
As Zhao basks in the glory of his World Championship win, Ken Doherty’s insights resonate as both applause and admonition. Unbridled flair has propelled the Chinese star to snooker’s summit, but if he is to remain there and challenge the likes of O’Sullivan over time, refinement must accompany his risk-taking. The future of the game may well depend on how Zhao and his rivals respond to this call for evolution.