Mark Williams was accused of speaking “nonsense” following remarks made by Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Mark Williams accused of talking ‘nonsense’ after Ronnie O’Sullivan comments

Mark Williams has been told he’s talking “nonsense” with his opinion of how he compares to Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins.

Mark Williams has long labelled himself inferior to Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins (Image: Getty)

Stephen Hendry insists Mark Williams is talking “nonsense” when he labels himself inferior to Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins. The trio make up snooker’s Class of 92 and have collected 98 ranking titles including 14 World Snooker Championships.

The trio all turned professional in 1992 and much like the tennis trio of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have pushed each other on to greater heights. Williams thrashed O’Sullivan 10-5 in the Tour Championship final last weekend.

But post-match, he said: “I never thought I was going to win tournaments at 48 and 49. I’ve just won another one. I just try my absolute nuts off. I beat Judd Trump, Mark Allen, Ronnie O’Sullivan – the three best players in the world.”

The Welsh Potting Machine, 49, has long been humble and declared that he is not the same calibre as O’Sullivan and Higgins. He labelled Ronnie “the greatest ever player ever” back in January.

But Hendry, snooker’s only other seven-time world champion alongside the Rocket, insists that it is ridiculous to say that Williams isn’t comparable to the duo.

Mark Williams has been named a “dark horse” for the upcoming World Snooker Championship (Image: GETTY)

The Scot, 55, told Sportsboom.com: “Mark’s so self-deprecating. He says Class of ’92, he always says he doesn’t count himself with John and Ronnie ‘I’m not in the same league as them’.

“That’s total nonsense. He’s as good as anyone when he’s playing well.” Hendry added of the Tour Championship final: “Ronnie played poorly, but I think Mark got to him. Ronnie couldn’t compete with all parts of the game.

“Ronnie’s used to bullying people on the table. In the safety department, scoring, everything. But the shoe was on the other foot. He’s so clever with his safety, always so clever with his safety.

“The beauty about Mark Williams is he walks around the table at that pace and it’s as if he’s not doing anything special, but it’s always special, the touch, everything. It’s incredible.”

World No. 6 Williams said: “I’m going there with a chance. I was going there with a chance before I came here, but obviously I’ve got a better chance now because I have even more confidence.

“I wouldn’t say I’m one of the favourites. I’m always one who goes there that’s probably a decent outside bet. I’m normally between 25, 33-1, sometimes 50-1. I’m always a good each-way bet, I suppose.”

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