Snooker Legend Ken Doherty Praises "Class of 92" Ahead of Crucible Clash
The highly anticipated World Snooker Championship is set to get underway, and former champion Ken Doherty has heaped praise on the "Class of 92" – Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, and Mark Williams – ahead of their upcoming match. According to the BBC, Doherty, who won the World Championship in 1997, believes this match will be "the tie of the round".
In an interview with the BBC, Doherty highlighted the impressive longevity of the "Class of 92" at the top of the sport. "They’ve been at the top of the game since 1992, 33 years, and are still at the top and still producing," he said. "As you get older it becomes a lot more difficult as players like me, Stephen Hendry, Alan McManus, Peter Ebdon have all found out. It’s hard to cope in terms of tension, intensity and also to be able to devote your life to the game."
Doherty, who is part of the BBC TV team for the competition, believes that the "Class of 92" have an incredible talent for maintaining their appetite and hunger for the game. "You become a father, a family man and it’s hard to dedicate themselves to the game but they still have the appetite, willingness and hunger and that’s an incredible talent as well," he added.
The Irishman also reflected on his own experiences playing against the "Class of 92" throughout his career. "I’ve been logging heads with them for 30 years. I’ve beaten them all but also lost to them all in big finals. I just had great times playing them and you used to relish it as it was a great test of your own game."
According to the BBC, Doherty also expects the atmosphere at the Crucible to be electric when the "Class of 92" take to the stage. "When you see them coming into the Crucible for their match they will get a standing ovation as they did in the Masters," he said. "We might not see the kind of these three again so we have to enjoy them while we can. They’ve given the sport great entertainment, great matches and are still delivering."
Meanwhile, Shaun Murphy has tipped Judd Trump to win the title, but believes that the Williams-Higgins clash will be "fabulous for the sport". As the BBC reports, Murphy said: "The Class of 92 are three of the best players we’ve ever seen and it’s wonderful we still get to watch them. None of them would be here if they didn’t want to be, they obviously love it enough to put themselves through it."
As the World Snooker Championship continues to captivate audiences, one thing is certain – the "Class of 92" will be at the forefront of the action. With their remarkable longevity and continued dominance, it’s clear that they will remain a major force in the sport for years to come. As the BBC continues to provide comprehensive coverage of the tournament, fans can expect in-depth analysis and expert commentary from the likes of Ken Doherty and other snooker legends.
