Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry has added fuel to one of the biggest debates currently dividing the snooker world after refusing to defend Ronnie O’Sullivan over the controversial use of Triangle chalk.
The issue exploded during and after the recent World Snooker Championship, where several leading players openly criticised the chalk brand still favoured by O’Sullivan. While most professionals have switched to newer alternatives such as Taom chalk, O’Sullivan has continued using the traditional Triangle version — and many players believe it is negatively affecting matches.
Former world champion Neil Robertson was among the loudest voices calling for change. The Australian argued that the chalk causes “kicks” and “bounces” on the table, while also leaving excessive marks on the cloth. His comments quickly sparked a wider conversation about whether the World Snooker Tour should standardise equipment across the professional game.
Now Hendry has publicly backed those concerns.
Speaking on his Cue Tips YouTube show, the Scottish legend admitted he agreed with calls for the product to be banned altogether. In a rare moment where he declined to defend longtime rival O’Sullivan, Hendry suggested the issue was damaging the sport’s image and affecting the quality of play.
Hendry explained that modern chalk products help reduce unwanted kicks and table marks, making matches cleaner and more consistent. He said the current situation creates unnecessary problems for referees, players, and spectators alike.
The comments are significant because Hendry and O’Sullivan are often linked together in discussions about snooker greatness. Both men have won seven world titles and remain two of the most influential figures the game has ever produced. Hendry has regularly praised O’Sullivan’s talent in recent years, even calling him the greatest player he has ever seen. That made his latest stance all the more striking.
For many fans, the debate may seem minor. But inside the professional game, equipment standards are treated seriously. Players spend years refining touch, spin, and cue control, meaning even the smallest changes can have a huge impact on performance.
Some professionals believe allowing different chalk types creates uneven playing conditions. Others argue players should remain free to use whichever equipment suits them best. O’Sullivan himself has yet to make any major public response to the criticism, but his loyalty to Triangle chalk has become one of the sport’s most talked-about controversies.
The row also highlights a wider tension in snooker between tradition and modernisation. Purists often prefer older methods and equipment, while many younger professionals support technological improvements that make the game more reliable and television-friendly.
Whether a ban actually happens remains unclear. World Snooker officials have not indicated that any immediate rule changes are planned. However, with respected voices like Robertson and Hendry now openly backing restrictions, pressure is growing on the sport’s governing bodies to act.
One thing is certain — when two legends such as Hendry and O’Sullivan become linked to a debate, the snooker world pays attention.
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