Snooker legend Stephen Hendry says comeback could be next month at Welsh Open after snub over ’embarrassment’ fears
STEPHEN HENDRY says his snooker comeback could be the Welsh Open on February 15.
The Scot snubbed the inaugural first phase of the WST Pro Series on Wednesday because he felt he would have ’embarrassed’ himself if he had played against the top pros.
The seven-time world snooker champion, who retired in 2012, was handed a two-year Tour Card by Barry Hearn in September but has not yet played on the circuit.
The 52-year-old’s end-goal is to play at the Crucible in April though he would have to go through pre-event qualifying.
Hendry said: “My aim is to play at Sheffield. That’s my goal. Playing at the Crucible again would be incredible.
“I’d have to play in something before that. I cannot go cold to the World Championship. Possibly the Welsh Open in February is looking an option.
“I want to give myself a chance of playing quite well.
“The Pro Series is played over two phases, in January and March. I spoke to someone from World Snooker a couple of weeks ago.
“I requested to play in March. I said if I’m drawn to play in January I’ll pull out because I just haven’t played, I ain’t ready. I’d just embarrass myself.
“I couldn’t play this week without practice. I did inform them that I would pull out of the event this week.
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“I have had great support and great best wishes. I am playing. It’s not a full-time comeback, I must stress that, it’s just the odd event.”
On Sunday, Hendry took to Twitter to poke fun at his snooker mates Steve Davis, Ken Doherty and John Parrott.
The seven-time world champ superimposed their heads on a viral image of four muscle bound young lads and wrote: “The bad boys of snooker punditry on @BBCTwo today.”