Snooker icon Stephen Hendry declines invitations to participate in the World Snooker Championship.
Seven-time Snooker World Champion Stephen Hendry, 55, has turned down a two-year guest pass from the WST for the upcoming two seasons. This means he won't be part of the tour in the 2024-25 season. This refusal follows Hendry's retirement from snooker in 2012, which might signal the end of his incredible career.
Hendry Disappointed by Tour's Elevated Skill Level
According to a press release from the WST [link], Hendry was offered a two-year guest pass for the Main Tour. He previously played on the Main Tour in 2020 and 2022 due to a guest pass. However, he has now decided to decline the current offer.
Hendry explained his decision, stating:
I've got the game down pat, know all the shots, but my body just can't deliver the performance that my mind craves.– Stephen Hendry, seven-time World Snooker Champion, Eurosport**
He further mentioned that he hasn't celebrated any significant victories in snooker for a while. Moreover, he was taken aback by how high the standard on the tour had climbed since his return in 2020.
Doherty Accepts Guest Pass Offer
The WST press release also reveals that Ken Doherty, 54, was offered a guest pass for the Main Tour. Unlike Hendry, Doherty accepted this offer and will therefore also play on the Main Tour in the next two seasons. German fans had the chance to see Doherty at the Three Celtic Nations Tour in May of this year.
Multiple Commitments Prevent Hendry from Training
Hendry did not only cite his sports performance as the reason for declining the guest pass. He has several commitments that make it difficult for him to train sufficiently.
Hendry runs a highly successful YouTube channel that has seen significant growth recently. His channel, titled Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips, has over 280,000 subscribers [video]:
He also took on the role of Snooker ambassador in China and works as a Snooker expert, appearing on expert panels and as a Snooker commentator.
Hendry's Unmatched Snooker Record
Stephen Hendry is one of the most accomplished Snooker players in history. He still holds numerous records and serves as an inspiration for many players. At just 16, Hendry, originally from South Queensferry, Scotland, started his professional snooker career. After two years, he claimed his first title, the Grand Prix, making him the youngest player ever to win a ranking tournament at that time.
In 1990, Hendry achieved his most significant achievement yet: at only 21, he won the World Championship – a record he still holds today. From 1992 to 1996, Hendry won the World Championship five times in a row, followed by another World Championship title in 1999.
During his career, Hendry made 11 Maximum Breaks, 777 Century Breaks, and claimed a total of 36 ranking tournaments. From 1990 to 1998, Hendry led the WST World Rankings [link] without interruption for 471 weeks – yet another record.
After his reign in the 1990s, Hendry's successes dwindled in the 2000s. In 2012, Hendry announced his retirement following a 2:13 loss to Stephen Maguire, 43, in the quarter-finals of the World Championship. He returned to the Main Tour in 2020 with a guest pass.
O'Sullivan Motivated by Hendry's Retirement
Stephen Hendry won seven World Championship titles during his career. Ronnie O’Sullivan, 48, also managed to capture the trophy at the Crucible Theater seven times. This makes them both record holders in the Crucible era.
Unlike Hendry, O’Sullivan continues to participate in most tournaments and maintains an extraordinarily high level of play. Last season, The Rocket won five tournaments, proving that he is still one of the best, if not the best, snooker players in the world at 48 years old.
Hendry's retirement might provide additional motivation for O’Sullivan. If he clinches another World Championship title, he will become the sole record holder. Many fans and experts believe that O’Sullivan would love to secure this record for himself.
Fans can get a glimpse of The Rocket's current form at the Shanghai Masters, which starts on July 15.
Despite his success in his YouTube channel and roles as Snooker ambassador and commentator, Stephen Hendry's commitment to these projects and his physical abilities have made it challenging for him to compete at the high level required by online casinos in Germany.
Alternatively, Ken Doherty, who showcased his talents at the Three Celtic Nations Tour in Germany, will be participating in online casinos in Germany, having accepted the guest pass offer from the WST for the Main Tour.
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