Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry delays comeback to avoid ’embarrassment’

Stephen Hendry has admitted he is still not ready for a drawn-out comeback after a series of false starts — but is now eyeing next month’s Welsh Open.

The seven-time world champion was due to play this week for the first time on tour since 2012. But the 52-year-old pulled out of the Pro Series tournament in Milton Keynes when he was not given his preferred March playing date.

The Scot accepted a two-year tour card from Barry Hearn in early September but feels he has not put in enough practice hours to avoid ‘embarrassment’.

Stephen Hendry is still not ready for a drawn-out comeback after a series of false starts

Hendry is now considering February’s Home Nations event and said: ‘The aim is to possibly play at the Crucible, 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 I would withdraw if I was drawn in January.

‘I am not ready and I haven’t played. I’d embarrass myself. I might do that in March but I definitely would this month. I want to have a chance of playing quite well.’

March priority was given to players coming from overseas and with travel and quarantine issues.

Meanwhile, Mark Selby is drawing inspiration from world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and his mental-health battles. Three-time world champion Selby, 37, revealed last week that he had considered taking his own life as a teenager — then saw depression return, for which he remains on medication.