Mark Allen claims he knows ‘real reason’ why Stephen Hendry retired despite snooker legend’s health condition admission


MARK Allen has claimed that he knows the real reason why Stephen Hendry retired from snooker.

Hendry previously revealed that a wrist condition caused him to retire from snooker for a final time last year.

Mark Allen at the 2025 Johnstone's Paint Masters semifinals.
Alamy

Mark Allen claimed he knows why Stephen Hendry quit snooker[/caption]

Stephen Hendry of Scotland playing snooker.
Getty

Snooker legend Stephen Hendry retired after suffering from a wrist condition[/caption]

That was the second time Hendry had call it quits, initially retiring in 2012 before returning in 2020.

But Allen believes pal Hendry hung up his cue because he hated losing so much.

He said: “Stephen retired because he didn’t like losing too much. I’ve had enough moments over the years where I’ve probably come across a really bad loser.

“Sometimes it’s the heat of the moment, we’re not bad people. You stick a camera in front of you just when you’ve had a really hard defeat, sometimes it’s hard to say the right things.”

Hendry struggled to achieve big results upon his return, calling it a day amid frustration with his performances.

The Scot holds the joint-record for the most snooker world championships (seven) alongside Ronnie O’Sullivan.

When asked who he admired as a youngster, Allen continued: “Stephen was the one for me, he was winning everything.

“I got to spend a bit of time with him when I first turned pro because we were both with the same management company at the time.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

“That was really good, you’re sitting having dinner with an all-time great and it was class for me just picking his brain.”

Opening up on his snooker exit, Hendry said: “Let’s be honest, I wasn’t pulling up any trees, was I?


“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.

“If I didn’t have the yips and I could play, I would still play. I can’t go through the ball properly and I can’t wait at the back.”

The yips involves involuntary muscle spasms and can affect players in other sports including darts and golf.

Meanwhile, Allen is focusing his attentions on a bid for a first World Championship in May.

The world No.8 was knocked out of the Welsh Open at the second-round after losing 4-3 to Sijun Yuan on Wednesday.

About admin