STEPHEN HENDRY fears the Snooker World Championship will be moved from the Crucible to Saudi Arabia.
The pundit has fond memories of the venue having played there throughout his career, winning seven world titles.
Stephen Hendry fears the World Snooker Championship being moved to Saudi Arabia
GettySnooker chief Hearn has admitted the tournament could go to Saudi[/caption]
He now works at the Crucible during the World Championship for the BBC and loves the packed-out crowds and the atmosphere they provide.
That is why he is concerned about the event potentially leaving Sheffield and heading to the Gulf State, which has been proposed by some including snooker chief Barry Hearn.
Hendry believes tournaments being held in Saudi is good for the game and knows the players benefit financially, but he is fearful a lack of atmosphere would ruin the World Championship product.
He told ITV Sport: “I think the Middle East influence for the players is going to be great.
“We’ve seen the financial rewards already on offer in the tournaments that run in Saudi Arabia. So if I was playing nowadays, I would obviously love that.
“My only fear is the World Championship going there. I don’t… I’m sure the players would love it.
“I’m sure it’ll probably be £2million for the winner, but 17 days of… You go to the Crucible and the atmosphere’s incredible.
“It’s full every day, every session. Do we want to watch a World Championship where there’s no one sat there watching for a lot of the sessions?
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List of all-time Snooker World Champions
BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year.
The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport.
The first World Championships ran from 1927 – with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport.
Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period.
Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan share the record for the most titles in the modern era, with seven each.
1969 – John Spencer
1970 – Ray Reardon
1971 – John Spencer
1972 – Alex Higgins
1973 – Ray Reardon (2)
1974 – Ray Reardon (3)
1975 – Ray Reardon (4)
1976 – Ray Reardon (5)
1977 – John Spencer (2)
1978 – Ray Reardon (6)
1979 – Terry Griffiths
1980 – Cliff Thorburn
1981 – Steve Davis
1982 – Alex Higgins (2)
1983 – Steve Davis (2)
1984 – Steve Davis (3)
1985 – Dennis Taylor
1986 – Joe Johnson
1987 – Steve Davis (4)
1988 – Steve Davis (5)
1989 – Steve Davis (6)
1990 – Stephen Hendry
1991 – John Parrott
1992 – Stephen Hendry (2)
1993 – Stephen Hendry (3)
1994 – Stephen Hendry (4)
1995 – Stephen Hendry (5)
1996 – Stephen Hendry (6)
1997 – Ken Doherty
1998 – John Higgins
1999 – Stephen Hendry (7)
2000 – Mark Williams
2001 – Ronnie O’Sullivan
2002 – Peter Ebdon
2003 – Mark Williams (2)
2004 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (2)
2005 – Shaun Murphy
2006 – Graeme Dott
2007 – John Higgins (2)
2008 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (3)
2009 – John Higgins (3)
2010 – Neil Robertson
2011 – John Higgins (4)
2012 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (4)
2013 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (5)
2014 – Mark Selby
2015 – Stuart Bingham
2016 – Mark Selby (2)
2017 – Mark Selby (3)
2018 – Mark Williams (3)
2019 – Judd Trump
2020 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (6)
2021 – Mark Selby (4)
2022 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (7)
2023 – Luca Brecel
2024 – Kyren Wilson
Most World Titles (modern era)
7 – Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan
6 – Ray Reardon, Steve Davis
4 – John Higgins, Mark Selby
3 – John Spencer, Mark Williams
2 – Alex Higgins
“I’m sure the final would be well supported but for 17 days, will it be full every match? Players playing with zero atmosphere, that would be my only fear about it.”
Hearn has admitted Saudi Arabia could host the prestigious tournament, with the financial appeal alone a big factor behind the potential move.
Asked if Saudi could host the World Championship, Hearn said: “Yes. Of course.
“I mean, look, it’s very straightforward. Saudi, we do events in Saudi now, and they’re getting bigger.
“But they’re still not the crowd and not the atmosphere. I understand all that.”
Talking about the financial difference, he added: “Instead of me selling the Crucible out and making £3.5million, £3.7m on gate, I get a £20m site fee from Saudi.
“If I get £20m from [the] site fee, I can double, treble the prize money.
“All the players say, ‘Oh, we love the Crucible, we don’t want to leave.’ ‘I’d say, ‘I’ll tell you what I’m going to do, I’ll treble the prize money.’
“We’re gone, straight away. We’re led by money, let’s not kid ourselves.”
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