‘Don’t spoil your legacy’ – Barry Hearn explains key difference between snooker icons Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White

Barry Hearn insists Jimmy White still has a strong desire to win snooker matches, but has questioned whether his old rival Stephen Hendry has a similar mindset during his debatable return to the sport.

Speaking ahead of the English Open at the Brentwood Centre in his native Essex, live on Eurosport and discovery+, former World Snooker Tour chairman Hearn has offered up his thoughts on the two snooker icons, who are competing on the main circuit via wildcards for their lifelong cue sports contributions.

Hendry defeated White in four world finals in that era, famously denying six-time runner-up White the world crown in 1994 when the Londoner missed a black off the spot in the final frame of an agonising 18-17 defeat.

He retired in 2012 after growing disillusioned with his game, but was given a wildcard by Hearn to resume playing in 2020.

“The difference between the two is that Jimmy is desperately trying to win matches and put in the work. And with Stephen, the common-sense decision when you are talking about class people is ‘Are you serious? Don’t spoil your legacy by participating unless you feel you can be competitive.’

“And that is one for him to make his mind up rather than World Snooker, because our duty is to recognise and reward the contribution. So the decision, as it was with (six-time world champion) Steve Davis..he made his decision based on that principle and I would expect others to do the same.

“In other words, don’t embarrass yourself, don’t stay longer than you want to or are relevant. But the door is open to you provided you make the effort to be competitive.”

Stephen Hendry’s comeback stats (2021-22)

• Matches played: 14
• Won: 3
• Lost: 11
• Frames For: 22
• Frames Against: 57
• Highest break: 107 v Matthew Selt at 2021 Gibraltar Open

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• 2022/23 German Masters first round
• Stephen Hendry 0-5 Matthew Stevens

• 2022/23 British Open first round
• Stephen Hendry 1-4 Zhang Anda

• 2022/23 European Masters first round
• Stephen Hendry 0-5 Mark Joyce

• 2021/22 European Masters first round
• Stephen Hendry 3-5 Li Hang

• 2021/22 German Masters first round
• Stephen Hendry 2-5 Gao Yang

• 2021/22 Scottish Open first round
• Stephen Hendry 0-4 Allan Taylor

• 2021/22 UK Championship first round
• Stephen Hendry 1-6 Thepchaiya Un-Nooh

• 2021/22 English Open second round
• Stephen Hendry 0-4 Chris Wakelin

• 2021/22 English Open first round
• Stephen Hendry 4-1 Michael White

• 2021/22 British Open second round
• Stephen Hendry 0-3 Gary Wilson

• 2021/22 British Open first round
• Stephen Hendry 3-2 Chris Wakelin

• 2020/21 World Championship qualifying second round
• Stephen Hendry 1-6 Xu Si

• 2020/21 World Championship qualifying first round
• Stephen Hendry 6-3 Jimmy White

• 2020/21 Gibraltar Open first round
• Stephen Hendry 1-4 Matthew Selt

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