Ken Doherty Disputes Hendry’s Take on Ding Junhui Following Historic Zhao Xintong Victory
In the world of professional snooker, few debates have generated as much intrigue lately as the discussion surrounding Ding Junhui’s feelings after Zhao Xintong’s sensational landmark as China’s first world snooker champion. While some prominent voices in the sport, notably seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, have indicated that Ding is likely to be angered or disappointed by this passing of the torch, Irish former world champion Ken Doherty sees matters rather differently.
Ding Junhui’s legacy in Chinese snooker has been profound. Over nearly twenty years, he has spearheaded the sport’s growth in his homeland, establishing himself as the most prominent Chinese player and being touted time and again as the country’s best hope for the world title. Despite his decorated career, including victories at the UK Championship and the Masters, the ultimate prize at the Crucible has continually eluded him.
This year, it was Zhao Xintong who captured the imagination of Chinese fans, overcoming Mark Williams with an 18-12 win in the World Championship final. Zhao’s achievement is all the more remarkable considering he had to start from the opening round of qualifiers, following a comeback from a lengthy 20-month suspension due to his involvement in a high-profile match-fixing inquiry, which saw several other Chinese players banned—some permanently.
Following Zhao’s triumph, Stephen Hendry commented on his Snooker Club podcast that Ding would be “fuming” over losing his singular status in Chinese snooker history. Hendry argued that Ding, who’s long been considered the face of Chinese snooker, would struggle to acclimatise to his diminished spotlight, saying, “If it was me, I’d be fuming… Overnight, he is not Mr Snooker anymore.”
Ken Doherty, however, has pushed back against such a perspective. In conversation with Gambling.com, Doherty acknowledged that Ding may feel a touch of envy, but he emphasised a crucial distinction: “I don’t think he’ll be jealous. He might be slightly envious. Ding was the pioneer, the godfather of Chinese snooker. He showed the way and inspired the new generation, including Zhao. I think he’ll feel pride, too.”
Doherty also pointed toward Ding’s positive impact off the table. “He set up an academy in Sheffield with 18 snooker tables, supporting numerous young players through the ranks. Many of those who qualified for the World Championship honed their skills at his club. He has been instrumental in nurturing the talent pipeline from China,” Doherty observed, highlighting Ding’s role in building a sustainable snooker infrastructure for his countrymen.
The Irishman’s comments come amid wider debates about the emotional dynamics at play following such a significant shift in sporting identity. Daherty elaborated, “It’s understandable if he feels a little envious, having started this revolution. But at the same time, there’s satisfaction in seeing that his efforts eventually produced a world champion for China.”
Zhao Xintong’s ascent to the pinnacle of snooker does signal a new era for the game in his country. For Ding, who was widely assumed to be the first Chinese player to capture the ultimate crown, the moment is both poignant and historic. Yet, as Doherty suggests, the legacy Ding built may well allow him to embrace the success of a compatriot rather than linger on his own missed opportunities.
The respective viewpoints of Doherty and Hendry underscore the complex, often personal interpretation of what it means to be a trailblazer whose mantle has finally been succeeded. Whether Ding Junhui will be spurred on to greater heights by this development, or will simply take pride in his foundational role, remains to be seen.
What’s clear, however, is that Chinese snooker has entered an exciting new chapter—one authored by both its founders and its freshly crowned world champion.