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. 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.
![[Mark Allen at the 2025 Johnstone's Paint Masters semifinals.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/taka-g-wu-alamy-live-964687697.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"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.
![[Stephen Hendry of Scotland playing snooker.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/stephen-hendry-scotland-reacts-first-848241579.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
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.
