In our unique interview, the former world champion discusses the 2026 match and whether or not final yr’s winner can defend his title at the Crucible.
Dennis Taylor believes Zhao Xintong has a powerful likelihood of defying the notorious “Crucible Curse” forward of the 2026 World Snooker Championship.
The Chinese 28-year-old received the occasion in 2025, beating Mark Williams 18-12 in the last, and is the joint-favourite in the snooker odds this time round, however no first time world champion has defended the title since the match moved to the Crucible in 1977.
In our unique interview, Taylor additionally means that Ronnie O’Sullivan could possibly be in rivalry for a historic eighth world crown, whereas expressing hope that fellow Northern Irishman Mark Allen can comply with in the footsteps of himself and Alex Higgins by lifting the trophy.
The snooker legend provides that he dearly hopes the World Championship stays in Sheffield for years to come, emphasising the Crucible’s distinctive ambiance and its significance to the id of the sport.
Ronnie O’Sullivan missed out on his first match win in two years however made the last and hit snooker’s highest break of all time in the course of. Do you see him as a important contender at the Crucible this yr?
Yes, for me, I’ve three gamers who I imagine can win this yr’s World Championship. Ronnie, Zhao Xintong and Judd Trump. They all have tales. I nonetheless suppose Ronnie can beat Stephen Hendry’s report of seven world titles.
Lots of people have modified their views and don’t suppose he can as a result of he’s not taking part in sufficient matches, however what he’s executed on the market once more, to make that 153 after which to be in the last —he has bought an awesome likelihood of equalling Stephen’s report.
But with Ronnie, the 153 break was unimaginable. He simply by no means seemed in bother, didn’t get executed. It’s a pity he by no means bought 155, however I believed that was an awesome effort from him. I discovered it humorous that he known as himself ‘Rusty Rocket’ after successful, as folks have questioned whether or not he can win tournaments when he doesn’t play as typically. It’s a difficulty not taking part in a lot forward of the Crucible by way of match sharpness, so how does he keep match? But with the World Championship, the format is longer, giving him a powerful likelihood of successful in Sheffield.
But what I’d go for this yr, I’m going to go for Zhao Xintong beating the Crucible Curse. That can be a giant story. He’d be the first participant ever to try this, and I believe he can as a result of he’s able to doing that. I simply love the approach he performs the sport. He jogs my memory loads of Ronnie with the approach he flows into the shot – he’s simply such an entire participant and is nice to watch.
But then the different one is Judd Trump. I imply, Judd, while you consider the expertise, that he’s world primary and he’s solely received one world title… It’s solely proper for him to win once more. So, I’d go for Zhao Xintong as my favorite, with Ronnie second, after which Judd Trump. I wouldn’t actually choose anyone exterior these three.
What about Kyren Wilson?
I imply, Kyren’s an awesome participant, however the indisputable fact that there’s been so many alternative winners this season is unimaginable for the sport. I believe the first 12 tournaments had totally different winners, so there are lots of people in with a shout, however these three would stand out for me.
Ronnie has signed up to the seniors as nicely, so he’ll be taking part in that after. What do you make of that?
Well, I used to joke with Mark Williams that he received the World Seniors title when he was 39 years of age, after which after he received the World Championship once more, I launched him at an occasion someplace and didn’t even point out it; I simply stated he was the World Seniors champion, and he wasn’t very completely happy about that.
The indisputable fact that Ronnie is taking part in is nice, however you by no means know what may occur, however it will be good if he performed there. If he’s at the Crucible to the end after which stays on to play at the Seniors, then that will be a narrative. I do know Ronnie says he isn’t bothered about information, however he desires to beat Stephen Hendry’s report of seven world titles, and he has crushed each different report aside from the eight world titles. He doesn’t trouble about titles and what he does, however the indisputable fact that he has simply made historical past once more with the highest break, he simply retains doing it.
I imply, there’s by no means been anyone like him in the sport. It’s been unimaginable, actually, what he’s executed.There’s by no means been anybody like him in the sport; it has been unimaginable for what he has executed in the sport. Stephen to dominate for 10 years, after which Steve Davis for 10 years, is unimaginable, however what Ronnie’s executed in the sport… It’s simply the approach he performs.
I’m going to inform him subsequent time, and Ronnie received’t have any concept, however I’ve performed him 3 times and 31 frames of snooker, and he’s main me 16-15.
He beat me in my final World Championship – beat me 10–6 in 1994. I used to be simply checking up, as a result of I’ve executed yearly at the Crucible since taking part in, and subsequent yr it’ll be 50 years I’ve both performed or commentated at the Crucible, aside from the COVID yr, the place we had to go to London.
Ronnie beat me in my final look at the Crucible 10–6, and he beat me at the British Open 5–4 – I led 4–2 or 4–1, and he beat me. Then I beat him in the Masters 5–1.
Is there an argument to say Ronnie is the best sportsman the UK has ever produced?
Well, I’d agree with that. What he’s executed – he’s a complete genius on the snooker desk, that has to be stated. He’s by no means received Sports Personality of the Year – it’s wonderful. Stephen’s nonetheless the solely participant ever to have received that.
But what Ronnie’s executed is unimaginable. The one achievement that will have outshone everyone was Tom Watson when he was almost 60 and almost received The Open.
He missed it – simply went by way of the back of the inexperienced by a few foot or two and didn’t stand up and down. Otherwise, that will have been the best sporting second ever. But Ronnie – I can’t consider anybody higher or extra gifted than he’s.
Can John Higgins win one other world title?
He’s nonetheless ready to put the apply and hours in on the desk so John can positively win one other world title or massive match. John is the kind of character who spends hours practising on his personal. Stephen [Hendry] used to try this, however he would play a few hours after which be prepared for an extended match.
John’s nonetheless ready to put the laborious work in, and it’s exceptional that he’s nonetheless taking part in at that stage. But there’s simply the odd little shot that’s crept in over the previous few years the place he’ll be taking part in brilliantly, then have a lapse in focus and miss a simple one. It’s troublesome to overcome that while you get a bit older. But what he’s executed, and Mark Williams has executed, is unimaginable when you concentrate on it.
Mark Allen has stated earlier coaches ‘hurt’ his confidence and now he’s specializing in himself and believes he can coach himself to get back to his finest. What do you make of these feedback?
He can positively do it. I believe he doesn’t prefer it after I say he’s going to win it. I’ve talked about it earlier than, however he received the Masters in 2018 and was the first one since me, and there have been three gamers to win it from Northern Ireland, together with Alex Higgins. Now it’s time for Northern Ireland to have one other world champion. He has bought the sport to do it, however the indisputable fact that he hasn’t received it’s a shock. He actually has the sport to do it along with his model of play.
But in fact, it will get more durable and more durable, as a result of the Chinese gamers are coming by way of. To have 4 of them in the semi-finals in Hong Kong was unimaginable. Somebody stated, will we see the day there might be 4 Chinese gamers in the semi-finals of the Worlds? We aren’t distant from it. John Higgins can nonetheless do it, however whether or not he has the stamina to go and win at the Crucible [is another thing], however it will be an unimaginable achievement. I’ve a sneaky feeling Zhao Xintong will break the Crucible Curse this yr, although and win it.
What do you make of the information that the World Championships might be staying at the Crucible?
I believe most gamers would really like it to keep. Maybe not a lot the youthful ones, as a result of they’re used to taking part in in larger venues, and that’s the place the cash is. I believe it’s ridiculous that the Darts World Championship is double the prize in contrast to the Crucible. Barry Hearn stated snooker would have its first £1m prize, however it’s nonetheless not there but.
For the historical past of the sport, I wouldn’t like to see it transfer as a result of would they give you the option to fill three periods a day? It’d be fascinating to see the place it stays there. If you get to the semi-finals, that’s the place the Crucible comes into its personal. It has a distinct kind of ambiance the place there’s one desk, and everyone seems to be surrounding you. It’s the most great venue while you get to that stage.
A number of gamers, together with John Higgins, didn’t prefer it after they bought there first as a result of it is extremely tight when there are two tables, however it provides to all of it. Next yr, it’ll be 50 years since I’ve been there taking part in or commentating at the venue, which is unimaginable, and I’d have hated to see it transfer.
Since you’ve been round, what’s been your favorite second at the Crucible?
Ronnie’s 147. To sit there and watch him make a most in 5 minutes and 20 seconds and commentate on it – nicely, they suppose 5 minutes and eight seconds from the time of his first shot now – that was one in all the most excellent issues. That can be the spotlight for me.
