'Still fire in the belly' – Stephen Hendry vows to continue despite World Championship snooker absence

Stephen Hendry has revealed he intends to continue his playing comeback next season if he is granted another wild card by the World Snooker Tour professional circuit. The seven-time Crucible winner prompted wild speculation that he was set to retire for a second time in a decade after opting out of the World Championship qualifiers at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield (4-13 April LIVE on Eurosport) only 12 months after returning following a nine-year absence.

Ad/> But Hendry admits he would have had little chance of realising his dream of coming through four rounds to qualify for the sport's biggest event a decade after first quitting following a 13-2 drubbing by fellow Scot Stephen Maguire in the 2012 quarter-finals. World ChampionshipWorld Championship 2022: How to watch as Selby looks to defend titleYESTERDAY AT 10:32 “I still intend to play, and hopefully I can play some events next season.

I enjoyed being back out there," said Hendry, working as an ITV pundit at the elite eight-man Tour Championship in Llandudno. “The British Open was a highlight, winning a match in front of a packed crowd..that was a great atmosphere and great fun.

So it is not over yet..and there is still a little bit of fire in the belly. /> “I have no expectations of winning tournaments but just want to be a bit competitive.