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Jimmy White 'needs' to beat old rival Stephen Hendry 'big time'

By Tyrone SmithBBC Scotland Sport

Last updated on .From the section Snookercomments103

Stephen Hendry (left) and Jimmy White
Stephen Hendry beat Jimmy White 18-17 in the 1994 final, one of the greatest matches in World Championship history

Jimmy White says he needs to beat Stephen Hendry "big time" when the two old rivals face off in Monday's World Championship qualifier.

The two snooker legends were paired together in the draw, with Hendry making a comeback after last playing in the event nine years ago.

White says he is battling for his Tour future against the man who beat him in four previous finals in the 1990s.

"It is what it is, I'm fighting to stay on Tour," White told BBC Scotland.

White, 58, had been practising with seven-time Crucible champion Hendry, 52, since the Scot was given a tour card but that arrangement has been put on hold as they prepare to meet competitively.

"I had two missed calls from Stephen after the draw was made," said White. "He was the first person I rang and he said 'can you believe it?'

"I know how good he is, I've had so many battles with him. We've been practising together for the last three or four months and the guy's concentration and self-belief is still there.

"He's a good guy, a very hard competitor, but I need to win that match, big time."

White likens the match to tennis legends Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe, or boxing's Marvin Haggler and Sugar Ray Leonard.

"It's great for snooker fans, it's going to get all the juices going and hopefully we put on a good show," said White.

"I've been saying for years he'll get fed up with not playing. It's not like boxing or football, you can still play to a decent standard as long as you practice.

"He played me on my table and his very first shot he got a 142 break. He's still got it, he just has to sharpen up the edges, hopefully that doesn't happen on Monday."

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103 comments

  • Comment posted by Dalton101, at 14:49 5 Apr 2021

    I'm struggling to understand the negativity about this match. For these guys, who were truly world class and entertained millions for years, I think they deserve a little more respect. Fair play to both and I hope they both enjoy it. It would be great if the winner made it all the way to the crucible. Henry is a legend but White was always my marginal favourite!

    • Reply posted by woody147, at 15:54 5 Apr 2021

      woody147 replied:
      I don't get what you're struggling to understand. they are called trolls or for people older than about 35, "wind up merchants". like the post below about gerbils and sailing boats. better to just laugh to yourself about the childishness of it all, rather than post angry responses which is why they do it.

  • Comment posted by 147break, at 20:54 5 Apr 2021

    Some comments on here are typical of the modern culture in this country ... people just looking to find fault with everything. If the two players want to compete then what harm is it doing to anyone else ? Also look at the publicity this contest has generated.

    They are both legends of the sport and will still be talked about long after many current players have retired and forgotten.

  • Comment posted by Alarp, at 16:09 5 Apr 2021

    All those people whining about them being has beens need to get back in their boxes. Sport is entertainment and a lot of people are loving this, simple as that. Come on Jimmeeee!

    • Reply posted by Yoshis Missing Yarmulke, at 17:39 5 Apr 2021

      Yoshis Missing Yarmulke replied:
      Lots of people are loving this? You are a living example of hope over expectations and it’s tickled me this Easter Sunday so thank you for that. Sadly for you, there isn’t going to be anything subtle in the quality of their game. I just hope fathers don’t drag their sons to watch it. It will stain the eyes of every child watching it. For so many reasons.

      Please Jimmy, just bury your cue.

  • Comment posted by nacdlrkh, at 17:44 5 Apr 2021

    If your a snooker fan of a certain age this match will be fascinating - yes they wont be playing to the standards they did in the 1990s but i will be watching this one with as much interest as i will be the final at the crucible.

  • Comment posted by sheriff, at 17:42 5 Apr 2021

    If snooker was played by robots who in every game made a 147 would any one bother watching? The answer is no. Sport attracts and entertains because of
    Characters. There’s the nutshell

  • Comment posted by Dave the Blade, at 10:47 5 Apr 2021

    To be fair I don’t think he’s fighting to stay on tour.

    If he loses then as a legend of the game, Hearn will hand him another 2 year tour card anyway.

  • Comment posted by sheriff, at 12:44 5 Apr 2021

    Dunno why people are slating them for
    Playing if you’re good at something have the opportunity to play and earn some money make some entertainment then what’s the problem. Any real snooker fan will be looking forward big time to this game

    • Reply posted by Yoshis Missing Yarmulke, at 12:51 5 Apr 2021

      Yoshis Missing Yarmulke replied:
      I watched Dennis Taylor take the world championship on the black in the final game. I don’t know if that makes me a real snooker fan or not, but if I am, I’m squirming at the very thought of this game. I certainly won’t watch it. Why would I? To see top draw snooker? There won’t be any. It will be like watching your dad entering the Butlins disco dance competition. Too old. Not good enough.

  • Comment posted by Dana , at 12:21 5 Apr 2021

    The greatest thing about retirement is that you can do what you want. Looks like they want to play, good for them!

  • Comment posted by Alan, at 22:58 5 Apr 2021

    Shame this isn’t on terrestrial

  • Comment posted by Lavis, at 13:19 5 Apr 2021

    Two legends of the game. I’d luv to have a seat to watch this game live. Shame it’s not on tv. I’m not concerned who wins as they’ve both given me loads of entertainment from the moment I was mesmerised by ‘Pot black’ in the 70’s. Enjoy the match lads.

  • Comment posted by shorty greasy spot spot, at 23:50 5 Apr 2021

    If that is the end of Jimmy’s career it would be kind of ironic that it is Stephen Hendry who has ended it.

    • Reply posted by JackCC, at 02:27 6 Apr 2021

      JackCC replied:
      Perhaps you should check the definition of irony.

  • Comment posted by Welsh Gaz, at 22:40 5 Apr 2021

    Hendry now 5-1 up and just one frame from beating White at the World Championships again.

    • Reply posted by steviek, at 23:38 5 Apr 2021

      steviek replied:
      Isn’t it best of 19?

  • Comment posted by nicia, at 16:58 5 Apr 2021

    I still remember that 1994 final Jimmy was in his way I remember shouting at the telly “slow down” as he seemed to playing so quickly and then......ah son it was heart breaking

  • Comment posted by hysuser, at 13:16 5 Apr 2021

    "White likens the match to tennis legends Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe"

    Pardon ? Jimmy good potter that he is has never won the world champs.

  • Comment posted by sheriff, at 17:34 5 Apr 2021

    People are really missing the intrigue to this match. We know it ain’t gonna be top class snooker we know it ain’t gonna be anywhere near to how neil was playing last week in the tour but it’s a match up between 2 of the games biggest names who went at it bad back in the nineties. Hend top 2 all time can take Jimmy card away Jimmy will want to end his comeback so bad. will be compelling viewing

  • Comment posted by stringerbell, at 12:10 5 Apr 2021

    This should be interesting. Come on Stephen

  • Comment posted by Stuart Brett, at 12:30 5 Apr 2021

    Where can we watch it?

    • Reply posted by Alex C, at 13:08 5 Apr 2021

      Alex C replied:
      It's only available on the Eurosport app which you have to pay for unfortunately

  • Comment posted by Triffid, at 02:42 6 Apr 2021

    I genuinely find it sad when Jimmy keeps saying in interviews , "My game is still there". I don't mean that in any nasty way . Jimmy is a legend ,and a gentleman , but outside of the practice rooms, where it counts, he struggles to make breaks of 20. It is sad watching him struggling constantly,on a BBC rival channel.
    If he is enjoying it ,he has more than earned the right to enjoy the game.

  • Comment posted by Paul, at 18:16 5 Apr 2021

    White and Hendry first met at the Crucible 33 years ago. This will will never happen again and this isn’t just about who wins. Anyone who understands the history between them will understand what this will mean to Jimmy, probably more than Hendry. Jimmy will win 6-2 I think. He will then lose in the next round, but still a great match for proper snooker fans

  • Comment posted by hizento, at 15:30 5 Apr 2021

    White is battling to stay in the professional Tour while two female players were included in the Tour for 2yrs without needing to qualify to be included. How is that fair?

    • Reply posted by woody147, at 15:38 5 Apr 2021

      woody147 replied:
      he's battling to stay in the tour by right of his performances and results.....obviously Barry Hearn isn't going to announce "hey Jimmy don't worry if you lose I'll award you another wildcard". and obviously he will, if that happens. Jimmy puts bums on seats, that's what matters.

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