Updated at 9.51pm
LEGENDARY SNOOKER PLAYER Stephen Hendry has announced his immediate retirement from snooker, following his comprehensive loss to Stephen Maguire at the World Snooker Championship this evening.
The 43-year-old Scottish player was beaten 13-2 by Maguire, in a disappointing performance at the quarter-final stage of the tournament.
Speaking at a press conference after the match, he said the decision was not made solely in reaction to his emphatic loss:
“I am officially retired now from tournament snooker,” he said. “I made the decision about three months ago.”
He continued:
“There’s a few reasons [for retiring].“The schedule, the fact I’m not playing the snooker I want to play, and the fact I’m not enjoying practice.”
He added: “It was quite an easy decision.
“I didn’t tell many people [before the tournament], but this is me finished from tournament snooker.”
And in relation to what the future holds, Hendry said:
“I’ve got a lot of commitments now in China, which I’ve signed up for and I can’t do that and play snooker because I would never be at home.”
He retires having won seven world titles in snooker, but will be disappointed to exit the competition in such a tame fashion.
Hendry had been hoping to win his first Crucible title in 13 years, after beating both Stuart Bingham and defending champion John Higgins to reach the quarters.
The greatest player that has ever picked up a cue.
….but a bit of a dry shite.
Except for Ronnie O Sullivan and Alex Higgins.
best player Brendan not the most naturally talented. Trophies won. Ronnies and higgins best natural players without a doubt
Robbie o Sullivan has beaten Stephen Hendry 20 times out of 30. Hendry has the greatest record of tournament wins, but this doesn’t make him the greatest player. He is merely more disciplined.
I’m not sure what natural talent is in this sport – or any for that matter. I think that if you’ve got the ability to play snooker both mentally and physically then it comes down to practice and working hard on your game. Ronnie and Higgins were/are enjoyable to watch as they were/are controversial figures in the sport and you never know was coming next – that is the same across any sport (Roy Keane, Balotelli, John McEnroe, Tyson, Prince Naseem, Dennis Rodman and I’m sure loads of others). It doesn’t make them naturally talented per se.
Hendry was not controversial and as a result not a fan favourite, like Ronnie, but there is no doubt that a man who was top of his sport for nearly a decade and won some serious amount of tournaments, setting the bar as high as it could go he deserves all the plaudits he gets. In my book he probably is the best snooker player in the last 20-30 years, until someone starts to beat his records. He’s clearly not happy with the new snooker set up but he’s gracious enough to bow out rather than throw toys out of the pram. Best of luck to him.
! Stephen is one of the greatest players to ever lift a cue and has given the game so much. such a great ambassador for the game. Enjoy your retirement Stephen and you will always be in snooker god.
I’m sure he won’t be out of pocket, plenty of cash to cushion his retirement… Think that’s my cue to get my coat..
Give it a rest.
A goodbye kiss maybe?
I would have balked at the suggestion that he would retire now, but I guess he felt the time was right. Then again, maybe he just needs a good break.
Chalk it down
First Davis in the 80′s and then Stephen Hendry in the 90′s … Both great snooker players but times must come to an end. Both have huge respect amongst snooker fans, I wish Hendry a happy retirement from professional snooker and look forward to seeing what he does on the circuit be it commentary or training, tv etc . Thanks for all the great matches!
A snooker legend
Wonderful player and good Luck to him, as for the throwaway comments above such as what a dry shite, i can only imagine your bitterness ….
How many world titles?
The way he played today I’m not surprised ……..
sur didnt he beat your brother…
How can you retire from playing snooker?is he never going to play it again or just not professionally?
You should try reading the article.
Not a great snooker fan but, he was a class player and it’s a shame that all good things must come to an end. Enjoy retirement, its well deserved
Simply the best!
He’ll probably be seen hogging the pool table in his local pub now with the ‘winner stays on’ rule !
The guy was a genius on the table… He dominated the sport winning 7 world titles.. When you consider he has more titles than Higgins and o’sullivan combined, It’s simple to work out who the greatest player of all time is….
He looks like a James Bond villain!