Stephen Hendry 1985-2012

STEPHEN HENDRY RETIRES
Stephen Hendry’s 2012 World Championship started with a maximum and ended with a 13-2 drubbing to Stephen Maguire and his retirement from tournament snooker.

This was a typically newsworthy tournament for Hendry, who at 43 has taken the decision to put away his cue for good.

He is still better than most players on the circuit but not good enough by his own imperious standards.

All the plaudits and accolades coming his way tonight are heartfelt and well deserved but Hendry doesn’t need them. He has his unparalleled record of success to reflect on.

It was a surprise, spur of the moment Christmas present from his parents in 1982 which set the ball rolling for a remarkable career.

You don’t need me to recount the wins and the moments which have defined an entire snooker era.

Suffice to say that Hendry can walk away from his playing career with his head held high as the player whose achievements all others are still aiming for.

He was a truly driven individual who never allowed himself to get comfortable. Once he won a tournament he targeted the next one.

He once won five ranking events in succession. He was a relentless scoring machine who pioneered the modern, attacking era in which we now live.

As a man he has always been something of an enigma. It wasn’t only on the table where he kept his emotions hidden.

I’ve seen him rendered speechless by defeat but in his dealings with the media and in his role as a snooker legend he has been a great ambassador for the sport.

Like Steve Davis before him he has made the sacrifices necessary to be the best. Unlike Davis, though, he isn’t in love with playing but winning.

He has decided that he can no longer consistently produce a standard with which he is happy. His retirement is therefore understandable if regrettable. In many ways it is admirable. He is a realist. He has accepted his fate.

Ask any snooker player of the last 20 years and they will have nothing but respect for Hendry. His achievements will stand in time.

Good luck to him in the future. He will be working in China, will doubtless do BBC commentary and undertake exhibitions.

But there’s nothing like the visceral thrill of playing. And Stephen Hendry has thrilled many of us over the years with his talent, his guts, his uncompromising game.

He has chosen not to rage against the dying of the light by slogging around qualifiers but to make a typically dignified, unfussy exit from the stage he once owned.

This is surely the final triumph of the game’s greatest champion.

Neil Robertson wrote:A sad day for snooker as our greatest champion Stephen Hendry retires. Wish him all the best

Matthew Stevens wrote:Will miss Hendry being on tour, what a legend

Michaela Tabb wrote:Best wishes to Stephen Hendry after announcing his retirement from snooker tonight, a REAL legend forever!!!!!

Dennis Taylor wrote:Stephen Hendry won his first major against me in 1987 . Great memory for me to cherish. Your the man Stephen!!

Shaun Murphy wrote:When Jack Nicklaus retired, the RBS gave him his own commemorative bank note. Hope they do the same for Stephen Hendry

John Virgo wrote:The record books will tell you what Stephen Hendry was

Witz78 wrote:hes away to China to prostitute himself cos he needs the cash

Smart wrote:I feel like ...............................fantastic

Smart wrote:

Wild wrote:

Smart wrote:I feel like ...............................fantastic

with respect mate no matter how many celebrations you make about him retiring he still gave Jimmy White a right pasting and defined his career as rubbish more than anyone else

the memories Jimmy has and the WAY he played and the fans he gained by the WAY he played prove it many times over, JImmy loved the game you love - hard pill to swallow but Jimmy played with more style and more passion. get over it

Skullman wrote:But Davis can accept less than 100%. He's been less than 100% for well over a decade and still he continues.

Witz78 wrote:

Skullman wrote:But Davis can accept less than 100%. He's been less than 100% for well over a decade and still he continues.

Hendry was less than 100% for over a decade and he continued so its total BS for anyone (Wild ) to suggest Hendry isnt lowering himself to the likes of Davis and playing on past his peak etc.

Alex0paul wrote:Wonder if he will enter the Pre-Qualifying rounds next year a la Parrott

kriss wrote:Im a massive Hendry fan, and while Im sad to see him hang up his cue, I have a massive amount of respect for the way in which he did it.

He gave the qualifiers a go, managed to make it to the worlds and he knocked in his 11th Max. The Higgins & Maguire games aside, the max alone is just an incredible achievement. I think it epitomises the problem Hendry has in the modern game. The odd miss is forgivable, everyone has them, but its been his long potting and safety that have strangled his game. Amidst the pink and black he is worthy of a top 4 ranking- his recent 147s prove that.

The harsh reality is that a 147, a century or even a 70-break for that matter, only win you 1 frame. The odd flash of brilliance, that bit of vintage Hendry, just isnt enough to win matches anymore.

Hendry is a class act. He gets a mixed review because people perceive him to be arrogant, and his desire to win unsporting. I would suggest that its solely that mentality that would otherwise transform Ronnie, Williams, Robertson & Maguire into similar animals.

Will the game ever witness another Hendry? Only if someone can match his hunger and determination.

Casey wrote:His video piece on the retirement with the BBC shows he is at peace with this decision. It looks like he will have a new career in China and a new project to be creative on.

Interesting to hear Terry G say Hendry should have retired a couple of years of is strange - he is made 2 max's in the last 14 months, but there you go.