Ronnie O’Sullivan: What does Stephen Hendry expect from snooker GOAT ahead of Shanghai Masters return? – ‘It is the elephant in the room’

His best returns of the campaign saw him reach semi-finals at the Shanghai Masters, Xi’an Grand Prix, Riyadh Season Championship and World Championship, but he has expressed his desire to achieve sustained improvement in the months ahead.

O’Sullivan has been practising in Hong Kong ahead of his quest for a record-extending sixth Shanghai title.

“It is the elephant in the room. Is he going to come back and apply himself? He said before he was going to apply himself for five years, give it everything and see what he can do.

“It will be interesting to see. He’s starting off at the Shanghai Masters, a tournament he loves where he has had unbelievable success.”

Hendry wonders if changes off the table will benefit O’Sullivan, who has relocated to Dubai during the close season.

“How long can Williams, Higgins and O’Sullivan stay relevant at the top of the game? Williams is three, Higgins four and Ronnie at five. It is absolutely incredible,” said Hendry.

“Can these three still be in the top 16 at the end of the season?

“Ronnie is now a married man. Will that change things? Big changes in his life.

“I think Ronnie might have something to prove this season. He took most of last season off.

“He didn’t really play well at the World Championship. The cues and tips situation masked what was… his technique wasn’t great.

“He was decelerating a lot on shots. Every shot he missed, he missed thin, basically. His long game was all over the place. It will be interesting to see if he has worked through the summer.

“He has got two nice tournaments to start for him. Shanghai and the Saudi Arabia Masters. Not in the UK, but places he enjoys going too, and has had success.

“I’m excited to see if he can come back, because at his best, he’s still close to being the best.”

The invitational competition, staged from July 28 to August 3, involves the top 16 in the world rankings with the four highest-ranked Chinese players and four amateur wildcards making up the 24-player field.

O’Sullivan is due to begin his quest on Wednesday against Barry Hawkins or Wu Yize in the last 16.

“I work very hard to become the king of snooker, but there are many, many, very, very good players like Zhao Xintong, world champion. [He is a] fantastic player.

“I like to still be able to compete with these young guys who are very, very good. I feel blessed.”

Trump defeated Shaun Murphy 11-5 in the final to claim the title for the first time last year.