No fuss as snooker legend Hendry calls it a day

STEPHEN Hendry believes it was the right time to retire after bowing out of the snooker world championship and bringing his record-breaking career to an end.

The 43-year-old legend of the baize quit after a 13-2 loss to Stephen Maguire in the Crucible quarter-finals.

It was not the way he pictured going out, but Hendry said he decided three months ago that this would be his last season on tour.

He took consolation from the 147 maximum break he made in the first round against Stuart Bingham, his third at the Crucible and 11th in all, matching Ronnie O’Sullivan’s record mark.

Hendry said: “I am officially retired now from tournament snooker.

“I made the decision about three months ago.

“I didn’t tell many people. I only told two or three.

“It was quite an easy decision. There are a few reasons.

“The schedule didn’t help. The fact that I’m not playing the way I want doesn’t help. The fact I’m not enjoying practice doesn’t help. The time is right.

“If I’d have won the title it would have been an even better way to go out.

“I’m delighted I made a maximum here, that’s why I was more animated than normal when making it. I was delighted to do it on my last appearance here.”