'I HATE IT'
‘Some people don’t see it’ – Stephen Hendry opens up on health condition that forced him into snooker retirement
Hendry quit pro snooker for a new job last summer
STEPHEN HENDRY has opened up on the wrist condition that caused him to retire from snooker.
The Scottish snooker icon, 56, hung up his cue last summer after turning down a two-year tour card.
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This was the second time Hendry had call it quits, initially retiring in 2012 before returning in 2020.
The seven-time world champion struggled to achieve big results upon his return, calling it a day amid frustration with his performances.
Opening up on his snooker exit, he said: "Let's be honest, I wasn't pulling up any trees, was I?
"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.
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"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."
Hendry then opened up on suffering with "the yips".
The yips involves involuntary muscle spasms and can affect players in other sports including darts and golf.
Hendry added: "If I didn’t have the yips and I could play, I would still play.
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"I can’t go through the ball properly and I can’t wait at the back.
"There are certain shots I know I can’t pot and they can be the easiest pots in the world or easy positional shots. I hate it.
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"I don’t know where it came from. Some people don’t see it but it’s horrible and that’s why I retired."
It was long believed that suffering from the yips was always down to performance anxiety.
But further research has shown that it can be linked to a neurological condition called focal dystonia.
Hendry now works as a commentator and pundit for the BBC.
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