John Higgins is fascinated by Stephen Hendry’s return to snooker, acknowledging that is going to be very tough for his fellow Scot but also recognising that the lengthy break from the game could have been a positive.
Hendry returns to professional snooker for the first time since the 2012 World Championship on Tuesday night at the Gibraltar Open as he makes a bid to return to the Crucible next month.
The seven-time world champion has been working hard with SightRight coach Steve Feeney to get his game back up to scratch and will put it to the test against Matt Selt in his first match for nearly nine years.
The world will be watching as the 52-year-old tries to rediscover some of his old form in Milton Keynes and Higgins will be one of those viewers.
The Wizard of Wishaw describes Hendry as his ‘hero growing up’ and is not sure how his compatriot will fare in his comeback, but would not miss it for the world.
‘It’s going to be so interesting. I’ll be tuning in, Tuesday night for him and Matt, I’m looking forward to doing it,’ said Higgins after his superb Players Championship win on Sunday.
‘He’s doing the SightRight thing and he’s obviously really excited about it, which is amazing. If he thinks he can do it, come back and compete. fair play to him.
‘It’s going to be difficult, I don’t think there’s any two ways about it, with the standard of player in the mix.
‘To be honest he wasn’t really competing to win events when he did retire anyway. Six or seven years he wasn’t getting to finals and semi-finals.
‘It might have done him the world of good, an eight or nine year break to come back completely refreshed. It’s going to be fascinating to see what happens, it really is.’
Hendry admits he doesn’t entirely know what to expect himself but is pleased to finally be taking to the table after accepting a wildcard to return to the Tour back in September.
‘I am, I’m curious to see what will happen. I’m prepared for any result really,’ Hendry told WST.
‘It’s obviously been a long time, this comeback, I’ve been getting a lot of stick from the players about how long its taken to play a match
‘If I’m going to enter the Worlds I need some kind of reference in the arena.
‘I’ve no expectations on what I’m going to do but I’ve just got to get out there and sample the match atmosphere, no fans but at least you’re on the match table.
‘I’m looking forward to it, but I’m prepared for any eventuality.’
World number one Judd Trump was somewhat sceptical about Hendry’s chances of returning with a bang, saying that the seven-time world champ will do well to just win a match.
‘It is a strange one,’ Trump said at the Welsh Open last month. ‘I don’t know whether he is coming back to take it seriously, or just as a bit of fun.
‘It is going to be tough for anyone after that amount of time off. It would surprise me if he won any games at all.
‘I think when Stephen retired the standard was already starting to go up and that caught him out.
‘I think he found it harder as Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams started to get the better of him. He found that tough to take, so I’d be surprised if he can get many results now the whole tour is of a very good standard.’
Hendry makes his return at 7pm on Tuesday 2 March against Matt Selt live on Eurosport.
MORE : Stephen Hendry’s coach explains remarkable rebuilding process: ‘The work he’s doing his exceptional’
MORE : Ronnie O’Sullivan reveals message to ‘Tiger Woods of snooker’ Stephen Hendry ahead of return
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