Stephen Hendry: The Snooker Legend’s Life After Retirement
As the World Snooker Championships approach, the sport’s attention is focused on the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. However, seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry has no intention of making a comeback. Instead, the 54-year-old is enjoying a different kind of competitive thrill – on the golf course.
According to a recent interview with The Times, Hendry, who has a 3.4 handicap, confessed that he has no regrets about hanging up his cue. “When you’ve been the best at something, you think you can play to a professional standard at everything you do, which is obviously complete nonsense,” he said. “I can get pretty frustrated with myself.”
Hendry’s love affair with golf began after his retirement from snooker in 2012. He has since become a member of Sunningdale Golf Club, one of Surrey’s most prestigious golf clubs. His ambition is to become a scratch golfer, although he admits to fluffing the odd chip.
The Scot’s competitive void has also been filled by a passion for cooking. Hendry revealed that his “absolutely devastating” first-round exit from Celebrity Masterchef was “right up there” with the 13-2 defeat by Stephen Maguire at the Crucible that prompted his retirement.
Despite his newfound passions, Hendry confessed that the old itch always returns at this time of year. “Once I get to the Crucible, I never want to be standing with a mic in my hand,” he said. “I always just want a cue and to get out there.”
Hendry’s illustrious career was marked by his dominance in the 1990s. He won seven world titles, the last of which came in 1999. However, his mental game began to unravel after the turn of the century. Hendry believes he “definitely lost something” when he allowed his icy front to melt.
The Scot’s yips, which he developed during his later years on the tour, ultimately destroyed his game. “By the time I retired, my game was absolutely shot,” he said. “That’s why the 147 I had at the Crucible in 2012 [in the first round against Stuart Bingham] is one of my best achievements.”
Hendry has since kept busy with his lucrative exhibitions in China and his popular YouTube channel, Cue Tips. The channel, which has amassed 355,000 subscribers in 2½ years, features Hendry interviewing fellow players over a game of snooker.
When asked about Ronnie O’Sullivan’s chances of breaking his record by winning an eighth world title, Hendry replied, “If he does win the eighth [world title and take the record outright], it will be well deserved.”
As for a potential comeback, Hendry was adamant that it won’t happen. His focus remains on golf, and he’s enjoying the journey. “I do still like to chunk a chip now and then,” he said, laughing. “But I don’t think that’s down to the yips, it’s just a lack of talent.”
Source: The Times
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