John Higgins fears Stephen Hendry’s controversial late withdrawal from the UK Championship could trigger a backlash against the snooker legend.
And Higgins, 47, also highlighted the difference in commitment between Hendry – who returned two years ago after eight years retired – and fellow veterans Jimmy White and Ken Doherty.
On Monday Hendry pulled out of Saturday’s first-round qualifier in Sheffield citing TV commitments at this week’s Champion of Champions tournament in Bolton.
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The seven-times world champion was given another two-year tour wildcard in the summer after being asked to give assurances he would play more than the previous two years.
But Hendry, 53, has played just two matches this term taking the total since the much heralded comeback to 13 in three seasons with just three wins.
And the timing of the withdrawal meant that under UK event rules scheduled opponent Andrew Pagett got a bye – denying a highly-ranked amateur the chance of being in the draw.
World No5 Higgins said: “I’m not really sorry that Stephen won’t be at the UK Championship. He shouldn’t be taking up the space if he is going to pull out.
“It’s a shame to see something like that happening with Stephen, and he will get a bit of a backlash now. But he will see it as trying to play and World Snooker haven’t gone with him on the dates.
“I know he said it was because he was working at the Champion of Champions tournament this week.
“Maybe they could have come to some arrangement with him and World Snooker about when to schedule the qualifier.
“But it is a shame really that someone ends up getting a walkover when there are other guys bursting to actually play in the event. That should be looked at.
“And if the likes of Jimmy White and Ken Doherty are getting wildcards for their service, then Stephen should clearly get one.
“But the difference is Jimmy and Ken are still playing regularly, still trying, still entering every or most tournaments.
“So it’s a funny one. It is bad that in this case Andrew Pagett got a bye into the next round. I know there appears to be this rule for the UK.
“But all I have ever known is that if someone pulls out, there is a quick ready-made replacement in the draw – especially a few days ahead with the tournament not even having started yet.
“There should definitely have been a replacement if Stephen is now not playing.”
Hendry raised further doubts over his ill-fated snooker comeback with his UK withdrawal.
The Scot, a five-time winner of the UK tournament, has even been urged by some fans to call time on his unsuccessful return to the sport he once dominated.
And his decision, coming too late to allow a replacement in the draw, left others who might have taken his spot furious with snooker bosses.
Hendry returned to the sport two years ago after eight years retired – accepting a wildcard from then World Snooker Tour chairman Barry Hearn.
Attempting to explain his decision, Hendry said on social media: “Just a quick explanation as to why I had to pull out of the UK qualifier.
“They scheduled my matches for this weekend when I’m working at the COC for ITV.”
But Hendry’s explanation did not placate former pro Steven Hallworth - the kind of player that might have squeaked into the draw had the decision come earlier.
He raged: “How disgusting is this World Snooker Tour when there are hungry players such as myself chomping at the bit to get into these tournaments now – missing out by two places on the order of merit. Shambles.”
Meanwhile, fans on social media questioned the decision to put commentating ahead of playing if he was still serious about the tour – and suggested he should retire.
One said: “Hand your card in and let a youngster or someone who actually wants to play have a chance.”
While another commented: “What about the other qualifiers you've pulled out of? Best call it a day lad.”
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