Stephen Hendry will be back in snooker’s professional ranks for at least the next two seasons after accepting an invitational tour card and is relishing the ‘buzz of competing’ again.
The 51-year-old retired in 2012 after losing in the quarter-finals of the World Championship and making a 147 break in the event that year.
Despite still clearly being able to compete at an extremely high level, the Scot struggled to deal with an inability to win tournaments after dominating the 1990s and racking up 36 ranking titles – Hendry’s last ranking title was the 2005 Malta Cup.
Hendry has remained around the game since then as a commentator, pundit and a player on the World Seniors tour, but it is a link-up with SightRight coach Stephen Feeney that has spurred him on to have another crack at the main tour, taking up the invitational card that has also been granted to Jimmy White, Ken Doherty and James Wattana.
‘I’m excited to have the opportunity to enter some tournaments over the coming two seasons,’ said the seven-time world champion.
‘I’ve really enjoyed picking up my cue again recently at the World Seniors and after some SightRight coaching I feel a little more confident in my game.
‘I’ve always missed the buzz of competing and although I have no expectations in terms of performance, this felt like a good time to explore getting back to the table.’
SightRight is a style of coaching developed by Feeney to help players sight the balls correctly which has been credited for vast improvements in the games of Mark Williams and David Gilbert, while he has also worked with Ronnie O’Sullivan, among others.
Hendry mentioned enjoying his work with Feeney back in April, teasing the possibility of a comeback but also saying he had no plans to return to the main tour.
The King o the Crucible enjoyed an impressive run to the semi-finals of the World Seniors Championship in August, losing to eventual champion Jimmy White, and has now clearly changed his mind, accepting the tour card.
WST chairman Barry Hearn said: ‘I am thrilled that Stephen has decided to return to the tour. He is a giant of the sport and I know that all eyes will be on him every time he takes to the table in the coming months.
‘It’s great to know that Stephen’s competitive fires are still burning and given his extraordinary achievements, it was a no brainer to offer him the opportunity to come back. I wish Stephen all the very best for the two seasons ahead.’
The draw for the upcoming Championship League has been made but Hendry can next compete in the European Masters in Milton Keynes which begins on 21 September.
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