Stephen Hendry has drawn oldest rival Jimmy White in a sensational opening round of qualifying tie for the Betfred World Snooker Championship.
Scot Hendry broke the Whirlwind’s heart at the Crucible by beating him in FOUR finals between 1990 and 1994.
White, now 58, never won the tournament he prized above all others. And now Hendry, making a comeback this year at the age of 52, stands in the Londoner’s way once more.
Hendry, hearing the draw live on ITV, said: “No way…stop it! I can’t believe that, someone is winding me up.
“All those finals we played at the Crucible and now we are starting off at rock bottom against each other at the start of qualifying.
“We have been practising together as well, so that’s ended right away. I can’t speak to him now!”
Qualifying begins on Easter Monday at the English Institute of Sport with both needing to win four rounds to reach the iconic Crucible venue.
Hendry, who retired from the professional arena in 2012, received a two-year tour card from snooker boss Barry Hearn following a round of golf last September.
In his comeback match at the Gibraltar Open this month in Milton Keynes, the seven-time world champion showed signs of his former glories as he hit a century in a 4-1 defeat to pal Matthew Selt.
Hendry has not played at the Crucible for nine years while White, who lost in six world finals, has not been there in the pro ranks since 2006.
