Hendry accepted an invitational tour card to play on the World Snooker Tour for two seasons in 2020, citing improved play in practice with coach Steve Feeney. He delayed his return and said he had the option to appear at the 2021 Welsh Open to warm up for the World Championship, but did not appear. He played his first professional match in nine years at the Gibraltar Open, losing 1–4 to Matthew Selt in the first round, although he did compile a century break. His second match was against Jimmy White in the first round of World Championship qualifying, which he won 6–3. However, he lost his next match, against Xu Si from China, 6-1 and so failed to qualify for the world championship.