## Stephen Hendry Dismisses Mark Williams’ Claims as ‘Nonsense’ Amid Crucible Drama
Snooker legend Stephen Hendry has robustly dismissed Mark Williams’ recent claims about his own abilities, describing the Welshman’s self-assessment as “nonsense.” As Mark Williams progresses through another thrilling World Snooker Championship campaign, his long-standing reluctance to be grouped with icons Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins has once again come into the spotlight.
This conversation was reignited following Williams’ dramatic 13-12 quarter-final win over his familiar rival Higgins – a match that has already been hailed as a Crucible classic. That victory saw Williams secure a place in the semi-finals, where he is now facing off against Judd Trump, who holds a narrow lead as play continues. The other semi-final features O’Sullivan against rising star Zhao Xintong.
Despite this latest landmark moment, Williams, now 50, remains unconvinced that he should be counted amongst the very best in the sport’s modern era. Speaking to SportsBoom, he again brushed off the celebrated ‘Class of ’92’ moniker – a nod to his, Higgins’, and O’Sullivan’s epoch-defining careers in snooker, often likened to football’s famous Manchester United youth team and tennis’ ‘Big Three’ of Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic.
Williams admitted: “I’ve never really liked it. I’ve always said those two – Ronnie, by far the best, and John the second-best player ever for me. I don’t really like being classed with them because I think they’re much higher than me.” His humility, while endearing to some, sits awkwardly alongside his extraordinary achievements: alongside Higgins and O’Sullivan, the trio have amassed a staggering 100 ranking titles, 39 Triple Crowns, and a combined 14 world championships.
Hendry, himself a seven-time world champion and an authority on greatness in snooker, has previously described Williams’ diffidence as entirely misplaced. After Williams stunned the scene by beating O’Sullivan 10-5 in the 2024 Tour Championship, he explained, “Mark’s so self-deprecating. He says Class of ’92, but he always says he doesn’t count himself in the same league as John and Ronnie – but that’s total nonsense. He’s as good as anyone when he’s playing well.”
Expanding on the rivalry, Hendry pointed to Williams’ style as deceptively brilliant, remarking that “the beauty about Mark Williams is he walks around the table at that pace and it’s as if he’s not doing anything special, but it’s always special. The touch, everything. It’s incredible.” This, according to Hendry, is exactly why Williams’ claim of inferiority fails to ring true, and why he belongs in the highest echelon, shoulder-to-shoulder with O’Sullivan and Higgins.
Interestingly, these words resonate just as the snooker world potentially prepares for another high-stakes showdown between Williams and O’Sullivan, perhaps even in the upcoming championship final. Each time these giants meet, the debate over comparative greatness is reignited, offering no shortage of talking points for pundits and fans alike.
The continuous success of this peerless trio, combined with their modesty and self-effacing public remarks, only serves to deepen their appeal. Williams’ tendency to play down his own career, describing himself as hard-working rather than naturally gifted, actually adds yet another layer of intrigue to his ongoing journey in the game.
With the final still to come and O’Sullivan hunting for a record eighth world title, Williams’ form and composure could yet have a decisive bearing. Whether or not he wishes to embrace the comparisons, it’s clear that among his peers and the wider snooker fraternity, his place in history is assured – and Stephen Hendry’s verdict on the matter is unmistakable.