Snooker legend Stephen Hendry has torn into players who apologise to each other during matches.

The now-retired seven-time world champion was among the sport’s most fearsome competitors during his pomp. Hendry, who was rock-solid mentally, didn’t give opponents an inch at the table, especially during big matches.

Therefore, the sight of players saying sorry for flukes and praising opponents for fine safety play doesn’t sit well with the Scotsman. Hendry didn’t hold back when asked about the issue on the Snooker Club podcast, which he co-hosts with comedian Mark Watson.

Branding it “horrendous”, Hendry made no secret of his feelings, fuming: “You know what’s even worse? After every good safety shot, it’s a tap on the table now.

“What is going on? Sometimes it’s not even getting to the cushion and it’s ‘tap the table, tap the table, it’s so nice, lovely shot’. I mean, bore off! You’re there to win. Who are these people?”

Hendry mentioned Judd Trump, a player who rarely resorts to such gestures. He said: “Judd Trump never apologises for a fluke, hardly ever. And he never says ‘good shot’ and taps the table, ever. He’s world No.1, he’s won everything, you do the maths.”

Meanwhile, Hendry has given his verdict on Ronnie O’Sullivan’s future after the Rocket’s latest tournament withdrawal. The seven-time world champion pulled out of the Welsh Open shortly before his scheduled first-round match with Jamie Clarke.

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That followed his withdrawal from The Masters and German Masters, along with several other tournaments this season. Hendry expects the Rocket to play at the upcoming World Open in China which begins on Sunday. That is quickly followed by the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong.

Hendry said: “Obviously, he does like playing in China, and obviously, he’s loved over there and in Hong Kong. I’d be shocked if he didn’t play.

“But I don’t know. I don’t know what to think about what’s going on, really. Part of me thinks, is he just going to play in the World Championship? Is that the goal now? Is that the game for the season, the plan? I don’t know, but there’s no doubt if he’s not in an event, the event suffers a little.”

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