Mark Allen Hits Back at Stephen Hendry’s Criticism: ‘He’s Full of Rubbish’ After Crucible Victory
Mark Allen dismissed criticism from Stephen Hendry after his dramatic 13-9 victory over Kyren Wilson in the World Snooker Championship quarter-finals at the Crucible. Despite not being at his best, Allen fought hard, securing back-to-back wins over Zhang Anda and the 2024 champion Wilson. His performance was marked by moments of inconsistency; Allen led 5-1 but then lost the next six frames, prompting Hendry to criticize his tactical approach.
During a pivotal moment at 5-1, Allen played a safety shot instead of potting a pink into the middle pocket, which Hendry found baffling. The seven-time world champion, in commentary, insisted that no one could win the World Championship with such passive play. “I just don’t understand it,” Hendry said. “You have to play the pink; it’s the right shot.” He went on to argue that playing defensively at that level could cost a player a World title, suggesting that Allen’s approach was not suited for success in the modern game.
Allen, however, was unfazed by Hendry’s criticism. He acknowledged Hendry’s legendary status but argued that his mindset might have been a factor in his decline after his last Triple Crown win in 1999. “Look, Stephen’s entitled to his opinion, but more often than not, he’s full of rubbish,” Allen said. He pointed out that Hendry’s inability to win a major title after turning 30 showed that the game evolves, and stubbornness may have hindered his later career.
Kyren Wilson, who struggled with his tip throughout the match, agreed with Hendry’s view that Allen could have pressed harder after his strong start but sympathized with Allen’s more measured approach. Despite the tension, Wilson praised Allen for his resilience and professionalism, describing him as a “great lad” with a hardworking and grounded attitude. Both players share similar approaches to the game, focusing on improvement while maintaining a sense of fun and camaraderie in their careers.
