Is Stephen Hendry set to quit comeback after opting out of 2022 World Snooker Championship? Will Scotsman retire again?

Stephen Hendry has opted out of entering the World Snooker Championship qualifiers at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield (4-13 April LIVE on Eurosport) only 12 months after returning to the sport following a nine-year absence. The seven-time world champion accepted a two-year wildcard from former World Snooker Tour chairman Barry Hearn at the outset of the 2020/21 season and played his first match since the 2012 World Championship when he lost 4-1 to Matthew Selt in the Gibraltar Open first round in Milton Keynes last March, making his 776th career century in winning his only frame of the contest.

Ad/> The deadline to enter the sport's blue-chip event was Monday at lunchtime, but the Scotsman has opted against playing as he continues his work as a TV pundit away from the table with the 46th World Championship at the Crucible staged between 16 April-2 May LIVE on Eurosport. SnookerTour Championship 2022 — How to watch as O'Sullivan eyes second title19 HOURS AGO Hendry had stated his main aim was to come through four qualifying rounds to return to the Crucible, scene of his finest moments in the sport, when he embarked upon his comeback after working with much-lauded SightRight coach Stephen Feeney.

«I know that kind of means nothing, but when I first started with Stephen Feeney, I wanted to get back to enjoying playing snooker again even if it was on the practice table,» said Hendry in November. «The ultimate goal is to play one more match at the Crucible.

To qualify for that would be incredible. All these matches are part of the process, and getting me comfortable in arenas again.

»One thing you never stop missing as a sportsman is the buzz you get from a crowd. I'm enjoying the process." The 53-year-old