NEW YORK (US) – Seven-times world snooker champion Stephen Hendry, who retired in 2012, said he has delayed his return to the professional circuit to save himself from an embarrassing experience.
The 52-year-old was expected to play in a Pro Series tournament in Milton Keynes from Wednesday after receiving a two-year tour card in September.
However, he withdrew from the event because of a lack of sharpness and may now look to next month’s Welsh Open.
Hendry told the British media, “The aim is to possibly play at the Crucible (in the World Championship in April) so I would have to play in something before those qualifiers,”
“The Welsh Open in February could be an option now. The Pro Series is played over two phases, this month and in March. I requested to play in March and said when I entered it I would withdraw if I was drawn to play in January.
“I’m just not ready and haven’t played. I would embarrass myself. I might do that in March, but I definitely would this month.”
Hendry entered the field of snooker as a 16-year-old and won his first world title in 1990.