Hendry started playing snooker in 1981, aged 12, and became at 16 years the youngest ever professional. He finished his professional career 27 years later after his defeat in the 2012 world championship. In his career he was between 1990 an 1998 and again 2006/2007 snooker's world number one. Actual Hendry operates as a commentator for BBC Snooker.