‘It’s an irritation for all other players’ – Stephen Hendry reveals Ronnie O’Sullivan tactic that irks snooker rivals

STEPHEN HENDRY has revealed Ronnie O’Sullivan winds up his opponents – because of his choice of chalk.

The Rocket is back at the Crucible this month for a shot at an eighth world crown.

AlamyStephen Hendry claims Ronnie O’Sullivan’s fellow pros are peeved at his choice of chalk[/caption] GettyThe seven-time world champion prefers to use traditional cubed Triangle chalk[/caption]

O’Sullivan has reached the quarter-finals in Sheffield after beating Ali Carter and Pang Junxu.

But fellow seven-time winner Hendry has revealed Ronnie has an “annoying” habit which is irking players across the WST.

O’Sullivan and 2023 champion Luca Brecel persist with using traditional Triangle chalk.

The iconic cubes are a staple of snooker clubs up and down the country.

However, the vast majority of pros now use circular TAOM chalk, which reduces the amount of kicks and won’t create odd bounces off the cushion.

Hendry told the BBC: “I know it’s an irritation for all the other players that Ronnie continues to use the old chalk that does give bad contacts and bounces off the cushion.

“Luca Brecel is the other player who uses it.

“I know from speaking to all the other players that it does get very annoying.

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“Because the table starts to play a little bit heavier. Kicks become a factor, cushions become a bit unpredictable.”

Fellow Class of 92 star John Higgins described Ronnie’s use of the chalk as a “bit of a nightmare” following his win over Xiao Guodong.

But asked about his choice earlier this season, an incredulous O’Sullivan refused to follow the trend.

Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “Why do I not use the round chalk? Because I don’t believe in it.

“I believe this [Triangle] is the king of all chalks.

“This you can buy a piece for maybe 20p, the other stuff 15 quid.

“I just don’t like it. I think this is still the best stuff.”

The Rocket cruised past Pang Junxu to book a quarter-final showdown with Si Juahui.

But the 49-year-old admitted to feeling “horrible” on his first return to competitive snooker since January.

He told the BBC: “The [new] cue is fine – it’s just me.

“I’ve given up even trying to find out what it is. You try so many things to work it out and you either have to accept it or not.

“I don’t think I could’ve accepted how I was playing for a while.

“So I’m just going to try and coach my way out of it, give myself two years and just give it a good go.

“I feel so unconfident. It’s like, horrible. It’s horrible even when you’re playing alright.”