Stephen Hendry

Stephen Hendry is back on the World Snooker Tour in 2020/21 following the sensational announcement that he has decided to resurrect his career, eight years after apparently putting away his cue for good.

Hendry, who will turn 52 in January 2021, took up the offer of an invitational tour card for the next two seasons and announced his decision in September 2020.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to enter some tournaments over the coming two seasons,” said 18-time Triple Crown event winner Hendry.

“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.”

He had previously retired in 2012 at the age of 43. After losing 13-2 to Stephen Maguire in the quarter-finals of the Betfred.com World Championship, Hendry announced his retirement in a press conference to a roomful of stunned journalists. Earlier in that event, Hendry had made a maximum break during his first round win over Stuart Bingham, his 11th career 147 and third at the Crucible. Hendry went on to beat defending champion John Higgins 13-4 in the second round, but was no match for Maguire in the quarters.

Hendry’s last ranking title was the 2005 Malta Cup when he beat Graeme Dott 9-7 in the final.

One of snooker’s all-time greats, Hendry dominated the sport in the 1990s. He won a record seven world titles between 1990 and 1999 and topped the rankings list for eight consecutive years. He has won 36 ranking titles, nearly £9 million in prize money and at the time of his 2012 retirement had made 775 centuries including 11 maximums.

At the Crucible alone he won 70 matches in 27 consecutive appearances, making 127 centuries and earning £2.3 million.

In 1994 he was made an MBE by the Queen, and twice he has been voted BBC Scotland’s Sports Personality of the Year.

Away from snooker he enjoys playing golf and poker, cooking and watching comedy shows including Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld.