Hendry Announces Retirement

[Gerry Armstrong]

There's no way that John took a "dive" against Stephen, but John has to learn to live with that cloud of suspicion after his NOTW episode.

[FerruleFox]

Different strokes...

Higgins is quoted saying 'Davis enjoys playing, Hendry enjoys winning'. And that's it.

We've all heard that quote .....problem is it makes Hendry sound like he used snooker as a means to winning, like it could've been any other sport he happened to be good at.

I doubt that's true.

Fact is, he doesn't have the same passion for the sport as does Davis and other older players who continue competing for non-financial reasons. I find that kind of sad.

[darrus]

This isn't happening...
*is completely devastated*

[FOXMULDER]

I hope this wasn't a knee-jerk reaction. He's just made a 147 and got to the World Quarter Final.

Shocked.

[Tred]

It all makes sense now doesn't it?

The trip to China before the tournament? The emotion after the 147. The smiles in the last match despite the drubbing.

I have some very fond memories of watching him play -he was an incredible player.

Am not sure that this Chinese pool thing is really the right thing for him to do but perhaps he just needs a break from snooker. Am glad he's quit before he fails to qualify for the World Championship...

[highbreak 8]

Hendry has made the right decision , two years too late .

It was a shame , yet somewhat inevitable his final game would end in a humiliating defeat , but that will be quickly forgotten due to the 147.
On a different note i genuinely fear for John Higgin's now as well, looking at his result's this season i have a feeling he is starting to hit the wall as well so to speak .

Hendry was the greatest winner the game has ever seen , it is extremely unlikely his achievements will ever be matched .
the end of an era .

[FOXMULDER]

Wow. Truly the end of an era.

Hard to imagine never seeing Hendry play again....

Hopefully he'll still do the Legend Tours??

[FOXMULDER]

In a way, it's quite fitting that Maguire should 'retire' Stephen Hendry.

His fellow Scot and former mentor.

[LittleMissAlexa]

this opens the door for another wildcard

[GriffithsFan]

It all makes sense now doesn't it?

The trip to China before the tournament? The emotion after the 147. The smiles in the last match despite the drubbing.

I have some very fond memories of watching him play -he was an incredible player.

Am not sure that this Chinese pool thing is really the right thing for him to do but perhaps he just needs a break from snooker. Am glad he's quit before he fails to qualify for the World Championship...

I was surprised he retired, but this is such a good point that he retired BEFORE he fails to qualifiy for the World Championship. Where better to play your last match than on TV at the Crucible?

Better this way than to just carry on playing in spectatorless cubicles, watching your ranking slide down in an almost embarrassing attempt to recapture your glory days. Like Griffiths finished at the Crucible back in 1997 I also have total respect for Hendry calling it a day on the big stage, rather than going on for too long and sadly fading away in the cubicles like Parrott, Taylor, Thorne, Knowles, Stevens, Charlton and so on. If Davis and White are not careful they too will be added to that unfortunate list.

I've seen you play Hendry all your life, what a powerhouse scorer and tournament winner you were during your prime. Just wish you could have let Griffiths win maybe just one of their meetings!! I think the career record was something like 13-0 and some of those wins were in big matches too *sigh*. Congratulations and enjoy your retirement!

[debs]

Not been on for a while but had to come on and say ..... Thanks Stephen .....
His farewell tonight looked ominous to me and in fact now a lot makes sense. Anyhow thanks does not seem enough but ....xxxxx

[gavpowell]

"Are you leaving the game in good hands?" I got the imnpression his first answer was "Who cares?" and then he decided to be a bit morediplomatic!

It seems odd when anyone reaches the peak of their sport and actually doesn't appear to have all that much love for the sport itself. I'm a boxing fan, and it was the same when a young Jermain Taylor pulled off a shock win to overthrow long-reigning middleweight champ Bernard Hopkins - when interviewedm he said he didn't really watch boxing growing up as his mum and sistersa would be watching soaps, and he wasn't all that interested in watching it now, it's just something he was good at.

[paul180]

best player ever to pick up a cue,nuff said...

[bobby1979]

Sad day. But Hendo has been on the slide for the last seven years and it has been pitiful to watch him in last few years especially, when I used to watch him in the mid nineties when he was in his pomp and he was "the master". The man is doing the right thing; he has nothing to prove. He went over two years without losing a match back in the day, and he invented the modern game of attacking, going into the pack early, etc. He's in the Guinness book of records for spates loads of achievements. His 775 competetive tons willl never be beaten.
Salute Stepen, you LEGEND! Thank you!

[Looki]

It's sad but at the same time understandable, considering how much it must hurt not be able to play the game he once played. Hendry is the greatest player of all time. A winning machine once and a true legend today. Good luck to him and he will be missed!