Stephen Hendry retires from snooker for second time after rejecting two-year invitational tour card offer
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ByEurosport
Updated 25/06/2024 at 21:50 GMT
Former world No. 1 Stephen Hendry has opted to hang up his cue for a second time in his golden career after struggling to make an impact upon his return to the main tour three years ago. The seven-time world champion declined the offer of a third wildcard offer from World Snooker Tour. "Unfortunately the body is not performing like my brain wants it to," Hendry was quoted as saying on Tuesday.
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Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry has announced his retirement from snooker for a second time after rejecting the offer to continue completing on the main tour via a two-year invitational card.
Hendry, 55, quit the sport for the first time after losing 13-2 to Stephen Maguire in the 2012 World Championship quarter-finals, but reversed that decision to return on wild card invites in 2020 and 2022.
But he has failed to recapture the glories of his peak years when he lifted seven world titles between 1990 and 1999 amid a career haul of 36 ranking event titles.
He intends to focus on his work as a pundit in the game and an ambassadorial role in China having won only three matches out of 20 over the past three years.
"Let's be honest, I wasn't pulling up any trees, was I?," Hendry was quoted as telling reporters.
"I was a little bit surprised with how good the standard was, but I've just got so many other work commitments, I won't be able to dedicate enough time to practising.
"I know the game inside out, I still know all the shots, but unfortunately the body is not performing like my brain wants it to."
World Snooker Tour confirmed Hendry's decision in a statement.
"Stephen Hendry was offered an invitational tour card, but has decided not to accept," said WST.
"The seven-time world champion had held the card since 2020, but now feels that he is unable to commit to the tour due to other priorities including the growth of his CueTips YouTube Channel and brand, broadcast commitments and ambassadorial role in China.”
Hendry finishes his career having compiled 777 competitive centuries which remains sixth on the all time list with fellow seven-time Crucible winner Ronnie O'Sullivan way out in front on 1,264.
But 1997 world champion Ken Doherty will continue on the main circuit after accepting an invite to extend his playing career over the next two seasons.
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