LONDON // Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry announced his retirement from snooker today, ending the illustrious career of the most decorated player in the sport's history.
The 43-year-old Scot, who won a record 36 world ranking titles in a 26-year professional career, made the decision after his 13-2 thrashing by compatriot Stephen Maguire in the quarter-finals of the world championships in Sheffield.
"I haven't been able to play the way I've wanted to play for the last 10 years, and it's just ground me down and down and down," he said. "I keep getting beaten in first rounds and second rounds by people I still know are not as good as me. After a while it becomes too much."
Hendry, who has compiled a record 775 century breaks, became the youngest world champion when he lifted the title at 21 in 1990. He then won it six more times in the next nine years, breaking by one the record held jointly by Steve Davis and Ray Reardon and establishing himself as the game's most successful player.
Hendry is regarded as snooker's greatest ever break-builder. He scored his 11th competitive maximum 147 in this year's world championships at the Crucible, his 27th consecutive appearance at the home of snooker.
"I've had so many (memories) it's hard to pinpoint special ones," Hendry said. "My first win here, obviously the seventh world title, making maximums, I could write a book on the memories I've had here.
"It's sad that I won't play here again. I love playing here, but no, it's a relief as much as anything ... Obviously it's sad that your last match is a 13-2 drubbing but that was just the way it went. At least it wasn't 13-0."
Fellow snooker players and sportsmen paid compliments to Hendry, who plans to devote his time to business interests in China.
"Shame to see stephen hendry retire, loved watching him when I was growing up! snooker legend, best ever," Scottish tennis player Andy Murray said on Twitter.
Jimmy White, who lost to Hendry four times in world championship finals, called his nemesis "a model professional" and a "credit to the game."
"I thank him sincerely for some of the best matches and memories of my own career. I'm not sure his records will ever be equalled!" White wrote on Twitter.
Hendry beat White in four Crucible finals in the early 1990s - 1990, 1992, 1993 and 1994.
Hendry, 43, plans to devote his time to business interests in China, deciding he did not have sufficient time to attend to those and to maintain a snooker career.
Shaun Murphy, the 2005 world champion, wrote on Twitter: "Most successful snooker player of all time, Stephen Hendry retires. Can't believe it."
Former world No 3 Neal Foulds added: "Probably the greatest snooker player ever. I wish him well with whatever he does outside of playing professionally."
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The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
The biog
Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
Jawan
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks
Following fashion
Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.
Losing your balance
You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.
Being over active
If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.
Running your losers
Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.
Selling in a panic
If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.
Timing the market
Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
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THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.