Stephen Hendry's opinion of Ronnie O'Sullivan and girlfriend 19 years younger than him

Stephen Hendry may have retired but he is still considered one of snooker's greatest ever players. The Scot had a fierce rivalry with fellow world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and now spends much his time chatting about his former sport on YouTube.

The 56-year-old won his first World Snooker Championship five years into his career, becoming the youngest-ever champion at 21 years and 106 days. Hendry still holds this record today and won six more titles before retiring. Following a remarkable career in snooker, he called it a day for the second time in 2024, having won 36 ranking tournament victories from 57 finals.

He was a great source of inspiration for rival O'Sullivan who hails Hendry as one of his heroes in snooker. Speaking to the Metro in 2023, Ronnie said: "I love it [snooker] so much, I am grateful for what it has done for me, it has given me an amazing life with amazing moments. I have been the most successful player, along with Stephen Hendry.

"He was my hero and I am happy to share the seven world titles with him. But I am up there, and I have to pinch myself. As a kid I used to rush home from school to watch World Championships.

"There was Joe Johnson and I went to see Steve Davis when I was 14 beat John Parrott in the final session. And now I am here playing."

Meanwhile, Hendry holds O'Sullivan in high regard as well but not enough to want the Englishman to overtake him in world championship wins.

Discussing O'Sullivan's chances of winning eight world championships with Andy Goldstein in 2024, the Scot said: "No, listen, I'm not going to lie. I won't be happy if he does it. But he's an unbelievable player and he's taken the game to new levels. In a way, it will take the pressure off, I won't get asked anymore."

Hendry also revealed that his rival isn't the easiest person to get along with and tends to keep himself away from social obligations in snooker.

In a chat with Ali Carter on his Cue Tips YouTube, the 56-year-old added: "He's not the easiest person. Down the years I've known him, sometimes I go months without really speaking to him and other times I spend a lot of time with him.

"I don't know if it's deliberate or not but he doesn't have many close friends, I don't think. He doesn't really socialise much with other players."

Hendry tends to keep his own personal life private after ending his marriage with Amanda Tart in 2014 for someone new. The ex-snooker star had been with Tart since he was 16 years old, tying the knot in 1995 and having two sons together - Blaine and Carter.

However, this marriage was cut off over a decade ago as Hendry fell for actress Lauren Thundow. He met the children's entertainer at a Legends snooker exhibition, when he was 45 and Lauren was just 26 years old - making their 19-year age gap a huge topic of conversation.

Recalling love at first sight in his autobiography 'Me and The Table,' Hendry said: "I first met Lauren when she was selling merchandise after a Legends snooker exhibition. She's attractive and we smile at each other but I think nothing of it. Gradually, we start to say, 'Hi', and share a bit of small talk.

"I would never be one to go striding over to any woman who caught my eye after all. I'm the person who got to know my wife's parents before I plucked up the courage to talk to her. As time goes on, we chat more often. It's becoming clear we have a connection."

Hendry went on to recount the moment his marriage to Amanda ended due to his newfound love. He added: "Driving back from a shopping trip, my wife Mandy asks me what's wrong. She assumes it's money-related.

"I tell her it isn't. Then she tells me to stop the car, saying that we're not going an inch further until I tell her what's going on. So I do. I tell her that I have feelings for someone else. She is shocked and devastated."

Nowadays, Hendry keeps his relationship with Thundow private, with both parties choosing to keep their personal lives out of the public eye.