‘I don’t understand it’ – Stephen Hendry fears for world snooker champion’s future after career ‘fell off a cliff’
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STEPHEN HENDRY is baffled why 2023 world snooker champion Luca Brecel has let himself "fall off a cliff". The seven-time Crucible king reckons Brecel has stepped off the gas - and "can't understand" why. Hendry, 55, is gunning for the Belgian Bullet after the 29-year-old's form declined so much that his place on next year's professional tour has been in doubt.
![[Stephen Hendry says Luca Brecel could win big for years to come if he focused]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NINTCHDBPICT000960618004.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Brecel reacted to winning his sport's showpiece event 19 months ago by purchasing a Ferrari, a Range Rover and a Porsche. And over the next four months he celebrated by visiting 14 countries, sharing snaps from exotic venues on social media. However, Brecel has knuckled down more in recent weeks, notably reaching the Scottish Open quarter-finals in December.
![[Brecel claims criticism is 'strange and his best snooker years are yet to come]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/luca-brecel-belgium-plays-shot-958580361_12ca92.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
And he finds criticism of his situation "strange". He said: "I don’t see any problem. I think the next 10 years will be my best years.". But one of the sport's biggest names still has major doubts over Brecel. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS.
![[Luca Brecel stunned Mark Selby 18-15 in the 2023 world championship final]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/day-seventeen-cazoo-world-snooker-814168479.jpg?strip=all&w=932)
The cuer turned TV pundit said: "He's fallen off a cliff. What a great player, though. "It's very frustrating for me to watch him as someone who is so talented... who's still in his 20s, who could still for the next 10, 15 years win so many tournaments, earn so much money... and who doesn't seem interested.
