Why do snooker players go off the boil with age? After all it's not a physical sport?

Question

Why do snooker players go off the boil with age? After all it's not a physical sport?

Answer 1

I think that the dedication to practice is the first thing that goes.  You often see it when great players get married as well, Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry both suffered a (temporary) drop in form straight after they got married.  It is hard to lead a normal life and put in 6 hours of practice in a day.  When you are young and keen to make a living all else is ignored.  When you are older and money is not such an issue, it is easy to find excuses not to practice.

The exception to your question is Steve Davis.  Despite being nearly 50 and having a lot of other interests - 9-ball pool, poker, commentating - he has recently risen to as high as number 3 in the world.

The other factor I would suggest is the travelling.  Although it is not a physical sport, living out of a suitcase, flying from the far east to Preston and back again will obviously take it's toll, mentally and physically.

Answer 2

Ones eyesight and hand-eye coordination tends to dwindle with age.