WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson grateful to Stephen Hendry for his contribution to Snooker
Despite putting up an excellent snooker show at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, the former seven-time World Snooker Champion Scotland’s Stephen Hendry crashed out of the 2012 World Snooker Championship at the hands of compatriot Stephen Maguire by the
score line of 2-13. After losing in the Championship, the veteran potter announced his retirement from the snooker world.
The decision of his retirement was sudden as he did not hint his retirement so clearly before coming to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. He was going well in the event but tumbled down in the quarter-final encounter against Maguire and announced his retirement
in the post match press conference.
According to the Golden Boy, he was planning to quite snooker for the past couple of months but did not tell many people. He hinted his retirement last year but did not act upon that. Meanwhile, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association
(WPBSA), Jason Ferguson, appreciated Hendry for his dedication and determination in the game.
While speaking to World Snooker, Ferguson said, “On behalf of the WPBSA I'd like to thank Stephen for the fantastic contribution he has made to the sport of snooker over the past 25 years. He has been an outstanding professional and the greatest competitor
our sport has ever seen.”
He added, “He has brought joy to many millions of fans around the world with his style of play, determination and sportsmanship. He has been a great role model for young players coming into the game and so many people connected with the sport have benefitted
from his legacy.”
Hendry ruled over the sport for 27 years and clinched a record seven World Snooker Championship titles in his career. The Golden Brain compiled his 11th maximum 147 break in his first match in the 2012 Snooker Championship against the 2011 Australian
Goldfields Open winner Stuart Bingham in the opening round and levelled Ronnie O’Sullivan’s record.
The Ice Man was satisfied with his performance throughout the career and wished he could have won his eighth world title. Hendry’s retirement will definitely change the face of world snooker as some of the younger players will begin to make an impact on
the sport.
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