Stephen Hendry explained the real reason for his retirement in 2012.

Struggle with 'yopsy'

STEPHEN HENDRY talked about his struggle with 'yopsy', which led to his first retirement in 2012. A seven-time world champion, he is now 56 years old and initially put his cue down in 2012 due to a significant decline in performance. In his 2018 autobiography, Hendry detailed his fall from grace and struggle with 'yopsy'.

“It was a tough ordeal for me, and I didn’t know how to deal with it.”

Hendry emphasized that this psychological phenomenon affected his game and repeatedly created problems during crucial matches. Despite the numerous titles he earned throughout his career, this struggle became one of the most challenging periods of his life. Hendry’s candidness in describing his difficulties can serve as an example for many athletes facing psychological barriers. His experience highlights how important it is to pay attention to emotional state and mental health in sports.