Snooker legend Stephen Hendry made headlines when he was stopped by the police whilst on his way to Alexandra Palace to provide commentary for the BBC at the Masters final earlier this month. The seven-time world champion was on punditry duty covering the tournament climax between Shaun Murphy and Kyren Wilson, which saw Murphy emerge victorious and secure his second Masters crown. Hendry, who transitioned to punditry in 2013 after retiring from playing, shared this experience on his popular YouTube channel, ‘Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips’. Shaun Murphy, the 42-year-old champion, revealed his pre-match rituals during a chat with Hendry, mentioning how he washed his car and refilled his washer fluid at Ally Pally’s backstage entrance.
During the conversation, Hendry recalled the incident where he was flagged down by the police. The Scotsman recounted, “I got stopped by a police gun at Alexandra Palace. I was driving along the road and the bike came up beside me and said, ‘you could do with wiping your back number plate, I can’t read it’. And then he went, ‘oh Mr Hendry, is it on its way to Ally Pally?’ And I said, ‘yes, yes.'” Before the Masters final, Hendry had been backing Ronnie O’Sullivan to win his ninth title, but O’Sullivan had to withdraw due to medical reasons. With Murphy clinching the trophy, Hendry admitted to misjudging the situation and accepted his prediction error on the Snooker Club podcast. He said, “I keep on making my predictions. I predicted Ronnie would win either Saudi or the Masters. He lost the second round at Saudi and did not turn up for the Masters and I said Shaun would struggle to win while he is a pundit. So, yeah, I’m pretty good at this sort of thing.”
The story of Stephen Hendry being stopped by the police on his way to the Masters final garnered significant attention in the snooker community. Despite the unexpected turn of events, Hendry continued his punditry duties for the BBC, providing insights and analysis on the tournament’s proceedings. His experience at Alexandra Palace added a unique and amusing anecdote to his coverage of the snooker event, showcasing the behind-the-scenes moments that occur in the world of professional snooker. As a seasoned commentator and former player, Hendry’s encounter with law enforcement gave fans a glimpse into the off-screen adventures of a snooker icon.
Shaun Murphy’s triumph at the Masters final, where he defeated formidable opponents on his path to victory, marked a significant moment in his career. Hendry’s initial prediction of O’Sullivan’s dominance and subsequent acknowledgment of Murphy’s success highlighted the unpredictability of sports and the competitive nature of snooker. The camaraderie between the players and pundits, as seen in Murphy and Hendry’s interaction, added a personal touch to the tournament coverage, inviting viewers into the world of professional snooker beyond the competition table. Hendry’s encounter with the police served as a light-hearted episode amidst the intense snooker action, showcasing the unexpected twists that can occur even off the baize.
The Masters final at Alexandra Palace brought together top players, seasoned pundits, and passionate fans for a thrilling snooker spectacle. Shaun Murphy’s victory and Stephen Hendry’s police encounter added intrigue and humour to the tournament’s narrative, creating memorable moments for both participants and viewers alike. As the snooker season progresses and more tournaments take place, the experiences shared by players and pundits off the table will continue to complement the on-screen action, adding depth and character to the sport. Stephen Hendry’s journey from player to pundit, complete with unexpected detours like a police stop, showcases the diverse and entertaining elements that make snooker a beloved and captivating sport for audiences worldwide.