I never liked him as a player. He always won everything and always poker faced it. I always used to be rooting for his opponent. It was this interview that made me realise what a nice guy he actually is, got me watching his RUclips channel (which is great) and become interested in snooker again.
I remember a specific example of what Stephen was talking about, he would miss mid-distance pots when he was on them in a certain way, it stood out in the 2008 World Championship when he otherwise had a good run of form to reach the semis. Dennis Taylor mentioned it a few times in commentary. The pink that he missed by a large margin against Maguire in the 2012 WSC was also that type of shot. It's indeed difficult to make frame winning breaks regularly without sometimes leaving yourself that type of shot, which helps to explain why his break building declined - it must have been so frustrating, especially with only getting this problem on the match table and not in practice. I also remember Stephen sporadically missing easy balls, which is consistent with indecision over how to play shots as part of trying to avoid those bogey shots and, as the commentators say, taking your eye off the pot. I have no ideas on how to correct that problem though...
likely he had set routines to practice. he talked about that that he was always quite rigid in what practice routines he did... from a perspective of fixing the errors he made i dont know if he ever went the route of just getting massive amounts of reps in at the type of shots he was missing in matches. cause it sounds like he was missing or not cueing shots well that shouldve been quite easy for him. it mightve felt useless to him to rep those ad nauseum cause he put it down to nerves, while I think that the process of repping that kind of shot could do wonders to calm the nervous system when it matters. I suspect stephen somehow didnt commit to that kind practice in his playing days. I remember on stephen channel ronnie and perhaps stephen too scoffing a bit at chinese players repeating the same shot over and over again in practice after they missed like that in match. tbf it perhaps wasnt scoffing but it sounded more like disregarding that style of practice.
Stephen Hendry in his prime. Was the fucking terminator. He couldn't be bargained with. He couldn't be reasoned with. He didn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And he absolutely did not stop... ever, until his opponent was destroyed.
To me O'Sullivan is the greatest but I do agree with. Back in the 90s Stephen Henry was like terminator and you just know if the other player missed the terminator would not . But without the doubt he is the second greatest player of all and I would probably put John in third place..💯🇯🇲🇬🇧👍
@@vanbalzup6481 I do agree. To me Ronnie is the greatest sportsman of all time. And I do believe if certain things did not happen to O'Sullivan's family Ronnie would have won a not more in the 90s. And if Ronnie was in some of them six finals what the great Jimmy white lost . Without a doubt O'Sullivan would not have lost his bottle as Jimmy White did against the second greatest player Stephen hendry... And of course Stephen hendry dominated it because there wasn't as many great players around like now..🇯🇲🇬🇧👍
Funny you should say terminator that's what I have always called him... Felt like when I was a kid he never missed. I felt like throwing my TV through the window when he kept on beating Jimmy but Jimmy bottled it in my opinion two times.... The great terminator the second greatest player in history. 💯🇬🇧🇯🇲👍
It goes to show that the three most mentally challenging sports are those that rely on a single person striking or throwing one object. Golf, darts and snooker.
There’s no one else relying on you to perform…you don’t have to go back into a locker room knowing your team lost because of you! That’s a different mental challenge they don’t have to deal with
The "Yips" isn't anything physical. Here's how you know. My competitive Archery was ruined by it (it's called "Gold Shy" or "Target Panic" in Archery). I physically couldn't force the sights of my Bow into the centre (Gold) of the target. It felt like someone else was pushing in the opposite direction. A coach told me to take the arrow of the bow and try again. What the Hell.... I could hold the sights on the Gold at Olympic level ... without an arrow on the bow. I figure that's a valid test in other sports. Take away the critical objective and everything is perfect. It was explained to me as your brain trying to achieve absolute perfection... which is impossible in Sports where it's all about "feel". You need to trust to your feel, you can't force the issue. Now the bad news .... it's very deep-rooted. It's no good telling yourself this. It's down in your caveman brain, in your subconscious. I quit Archery competition and eventually I got over the problem to the extent where I started to compete again. Once again, when I started getting to a really good level, competing for top 10 spots ... it came back. My caveman subconscious started looking for perfection, and taking control of the Bow. If you never had this (in Darts, Golf, Snooker, Archery ..whatever) then you really won't understand. It's very very strange, and very frustrating. Comment if you experienced it.
It's focal dystonia and it's neurological. When you practice something intensely for years there are small map areas in your brain that control the movements necessary to complete the tasks. When you get dystonia the areas all tend to merge into one and you get muscles firing and tightening up when they shouldn't be. I'm a guitar player and it affected my right hand.
The fact that he doesn't get it when he plays on his own proves it isn't physical too. Well I suppose you could say it's physical in the sense that something is happening neurologically but it isn't something wrong with his arm or hand.
@@steviemac2681 That's it Stevie it's all in the brain and there's usually nothing wrong with the hand. It's usually task specific and only happens when the likes of Stephen plays snooker or a musician plays an instrument. It's a very weird thing. I noticed a strange sensation when i played guitar but it was very hard to describe. Then you start worrying about it and thinking about it which makes it worse.
In golf I've experienced the yips with short putts, that I felt I had to make. As soon as the clubhead approaches the ball, you get a muscle spasm, which throws the putt off line. Since you're already lined up, and know how hard to hit the ball, the solution just might be: take away the visual input, close your eyes. See the line, make the practice swing, stand over the ball, take one look at the hole, close your eyes and make the stroke. Either that or find a way to just not care whether it goes in or not.
I’ve had Dartitis for years. You described my Dartitis with the bow and arrow perfectly. If I look at the target I hesitate mid throw. If I look away or close my eyes…Boom Perfectly smooth . Like Jim says you watch players so less capable than you kicking your arse…Just not worth the suffering. I’ve quit comp now.
The 1999 worlds was remarkable. The doubt was creeping in and to win it in the fashion he did was unbelievable. The most dominant sports person of, perhaps, all time. Absolute hero and an absolute legend.
Yes , in my opinion,( and I've played a lot of competitive Snooker) , Stephen Hendry is the greatest Snooker player ever , certainly the strongest mentally.
Still an absolute legend, Stephen! Hats off to what he's doing at the moment, youtube channel and commentating as he sees it. Also good to see a Johan Cruyff book on the shells
This man did not miss for ten years, complete and utter domination, it seems the GOAT debate has ended and Ronnie holds that accolade, but I am just not sure when I think back and remember Hendry blasting in century after century, game after game, year after year... I am not sure even Ronny could live with his cold, brutal, efficient ,clinical competitor. It seems as has not fully explored possible physiological treatments/countermeasures, which is a bit disappointing, I am loathe to call him lazy, but surly if he still retains a world championship winning game in practice his issues are physiological, so why not explore this?....I would love to see him come back to his best and put some manners on Ronnie!!
If you know anything about snooker and its history,you'd know Ronnie owns Hendry's Hendry couldn't live with Prime Ronnie Surprise .Surprise... Ronnie vs Hendry....9-4 to Ronnie in 13 finals they played..9-8 to Ronnie in Semi Finals 4-4 in QF.....2004/8 WSC Semi Finals is all you need to know about Stephen Hendry Ronnie tore him two new ones where the sun don't shine! 17-4 and 17-6 He is still playing because he can,and did not cry YIPS like princessyips. Another Hendry femboy envious that the GOAT Ronnie O'Sullivan is still World 1 and has won more ranking & major titles than Hendry will ever win! 👍
@@sabra1066 Out of hie prime is a BS & pathetic excuse. When Ronnie was beat yapimp Hendry in major finals as a 17 year old. He beat Hendry in the 1993 UKC Final. He made Hendry cry and wet his knickers. Stop with the BS
This happened to the tennis player Guillermo Coria. He was the original 'King of Clay' and nailed on to be world Number 1 in 2004. He collapsed in the French Open Final from two sets up and 4-4 40:0 up in the third to lose to journeyman Gaston Gaudio in what is considered one of the biggest chokes in tennis history. His form dropped off a cliff after that and he suffered with the service yips for years before tamely retiring at 27. He never won another significant title. Very strange and inexplicable condition.
It’s like he needs reminding of who he is, and not who he was regardless of age. It’s a shame to see him so low in confidence. I don’t get to play much snooker anymore with being a busy dad, but when I was at secondary school I saved up my pocket money to buy a small snooker table which would fit in my mum n dad’s garage and I’d play most nights before going to bed. He was my inspiration, loved seeing him back in the days when he was focused and had that winning mentality. He’s a legend in my eyes and for me the GOAT for that inspiration he gave me to pickup a cue and have fun and play.
didn't use to like Stephen as, growing up in the 90s, he was always on the screen, poker-faced, emotionless, and winning - he was so good it just became boring as you always knew he would win...only now do I appreciate how darn good he was, and I love his RUclips channel, too - a completely different person to the one I thought he was. Enjoying this clip so far 👍
Stephen has said the persona he had then was intentional, partly because the player he most admired, Steve Davis, did the same. Rarely spoke to anybody. Said playing at that level, your mindset isn't about winning against your friends.
I used to go to the Crucible just to see Hendry play. It was a strange phenomenon because it was like watching perfection. As soon as he knocked a long ball in from the top cushion the frame was over .He never missed there was like a mystical aura about him it’s difficult to describe.Tragic what happened with the yips , in my opinion it cost him at least three more titles. How good would the 2000s have been with O’Sullivan and Hendry playing at their best at the same time.Go and watch the 2002 World semi final grudge match between them on here to see how good it could have been.
Surprise .Surprise... Ronnie vs Hendry....9-4 to Ronnie in 13 finals they played..9-8 to Ronnie in Semi Finals 4-4 in QF.....2004/8 WSC Semi Finals is all you need to know about Stephen Hendry Ronnie tore him two new ones where the sun don't shine! 17-4 and 17-6 He is still playing because he can,and did not cry YIPS like princessyipsAnother Hendry femboy envious that the GOAT Ronnie O'Sullivan is still World 1 and has won more ranking & major titles than Hendry will ever win! 👍
@@wayneanthonyholmes4437 Why do you feel the need to shit on Hendry? Lol the man's been retired 12 years now and nobody's debating against Ronnie being the Goat here. As for the original post I agree it is a pity Hendry's game deteriorated in the 00s. I remember watching in awe of their matches from 97-02, it felt like there was never a safe ball on the table!
@@jamiesherrard7263 @wayneanthonyholmes4437 3 days ago Surprise .Surprise...AGAIN Ronnie vs Hendry....9-4 to Ronnie in 13 finals they played..9-8 to Ronnie in Semi Finals 4-4 in QF.....2004/8 WSC Semi Finals is all you need to know about Stephen Hendry Ronnie tore him two new ones where the sun don't shine! 17-4 and 17-6 He is still playing because he can,and did not cry YIPS like princessyips Another Hendry femboy envious that the GOAT Ronnie O'Sullivan is still World 1 and has won more ranking & major titles than Hendry will ever win! 👍
Not a big snooker fan but love hendry used to watch him with my grandad he allways had the snooker on back in the day feel so sorry for such a legendary player just hope he stops criticizing himself and look at what he's done with his career
His you tube channel is great, I Definitely say he is more loved now.l He grew up, evolved and a great product from the system.. Hope he see’s what we will see, 🙏🏻❤️
It happens to everyone I’m afraid in all walks of life and professions. For me it was my health and physical ability. Spinal osteoarthritis in my lumbar spine in my 50’s. Being told there was no cure and I wouldn’t be able to do the things I used to. It will spread to all your major joints and just get worse. You won’t be able to Work, train, swim, cycle, run, jump, lift heavy things, stand for long periods, sit for long periods…. Whilst I have sympathy for hendry I’d swop any day the loss of ability to do my job because of metal issues whilst keeping my health and ability to enjoy life. A wheelchair is my future and total disability. I know many people are in that position and have a good life. But when you’re 70 and in that position it’s very hard to see the point of life.
True, he was so far ahead of the mid-90s competition. If he played at his level now, he’d be a top 5 player but not dominant. That said, who’s to say that his game NOW wouldn’t be 10% because the competition was better also. Still a legend in my eyes and there’s never been anyone in any sport as dominant as him I don’t think.
“I’ve got no confidence…” It sounds mental to me tbh. Watching yourself doesn’t work because there’s no psychological connection. Thats why the right visualisation is required to reprogram the brain
Reminds me of a line given by Tom Selleck from a movie called *Mr Baseball,* _"All my life I just wanted to hit the ball, now I'm trying not to miss"_ Massively underrated film, I highly recommend watching, very funny too.
And it came from nowhere, it struck him when he least expected it. If you told him in 2002 that this condition would see him lose a world championship when he had already won 7, he would've thought you nuts
@@miniramptricks1986 yeah well i think its a mix of loss of ambition less practice and then doubts creeping in. Im a fairly decent snooker player, i can make a few 20 breaks and maybe the odd 40 in a days play... But what ive realised is what seperates me from really good players who make 50s and 60s is that they see a pot and a chance to score, where i see a potential miss and gifted chance to my opposition
I had similar decline in fighting at school. For years I was dominant, beating up older kids. Everyone feared me. Then suddenly it all disappeared. Lost whatever I had. Final straw was losing to a kid wearing a cast despite ambushing him. So I can relate.
Henry is the best I’ve seen! He won more in 10 years than anyone! He had hit levels of consistency that no other pro has been even close too. He is the goat! When o’sullivan tells you Henry is the goat, just shut up and listen!
@@carlbarraclough1688By overall career stats yes - but peak Stephen Hendry (91/92 season where he had his insane win streak) is the highest performing snooker player of all time by quite a margin. It's taken Ronnie 30 years to surpass what Stephen did in under 10. It's also worth saying that his run at number 1 is the most impressive ever as up until 2010 we used an annual ranking system so it was harder to keep your spot.
@@CarlBriggs861 Yeah, i agree , its harder now, the rankings change after every ranking tournament, Ronnie is ranked no 1 , has just won the UK championship and the masters, but will lose his no 1 ranking if trump wins the current tournament and ronnie doesn't make the final.
Most sportsmen who played their sport at a reasonably high level can attest to finding the psychological aspect of the sport the most infuriating to deal with. I played club cricket for 20 years at a high level and even was captain for 6 years. When I felt invincible I used to walk out, tap my bat like a hulk, take my mark, ignore all chatter, and when appropriate absolutely drilled my shots all over the place. The moment you are given out without scoring well, the doubt sets in. All your past performances mean nothing at that point. You start to doubt if you are up for the game at the age you are at. You wonder if your skill levels have deteriorated. Then one day you score big again, feel invincible, and then fail and repeat the process all over again.
One of the greatest to ever pick up a snooker cue - in broad terms he seems in good spirits, which is good to see. Nice punchy interview extract; I'm going to take a look at the unabridged version now. Thanks for uploading.
Remember back in the 80's as a teenager i would laugh at my mates who got dartitis and i would say then it's all in the head you dafty. We would practice back then every night of the week and all weekend and i would tell them to throw left handed for a few days then switch back. It did the trick for them but i've seen grown men today standing on an Oche then falling near flat on their faces because they can't release the dart. Sorry but it still cracks me up even today because i know from nearly 40yrs ago it's all in the head, nothing to do with your body parts. Hendry on/off the table is still in my opinion the greatest ever player to hold a cue, Ronnie is there with him but a complete fruitcake mentally but blame his parents for that.
Not getting a sports psychologist was the main reason he never got back to his glory days. So many sports stars would never get to where they’ve gotten to without a sports psychologist.
Ronnie held his own against Stephen. Ronnie' head to head is 30-20. There was about an 18 month period in the 90s where Hendry did win consistently . Other than that Ronnie was the equal and more. From 1990 to 96 Hendry was utterly dominant , but had this spell when Ron was still in his teens. All that said..Peak Ron v Peak Ste would be a great watch. Ron has a much better saftey game.
Martin Samuel as next guest! I've just heard Simon on the radio (10th Jan) disagreeing with Martin Samuel and his stance on FFP. That would be an interesting debate!
Life can be very cruel. To see his obvious discomfort talking about losing to non-entities and feeling like like two different people. It's as though some fickle god gave him a superpower and then snatched it away on a whim.
No it's actually neurological and you have no control over it. There is no cure. People learn to live with it and work around it but you are never the same.
Pure winner, Tiger woods very similar.. Not easy when that comes crashing down, due to the imbalance created by focused mental state purring for years..
@@Dinobaburas. Couldn't lace his boots? Says a know nothing muppet... 9-4 to Ronnie against Hendry in 13 finals they played..9-8 to Ronnie against Hendry in Semi Finals..4-4 in QF 30 -21 to the GOAT Ronnie against Hendry Head To Head. 2004/8 WSC Semi Finals says all you need to know about Hendry Ronnie tore two new ones for Hendry where the sun don't shine 17-4 17-6 Facts! Mind your language mug instead of letting your heart rule your head! Hilarious!
I feel a bit sorry for him. He is always so harsh to himself. His Problem is his Head not his hands or arms. He missed to embrace the challenge oh being beatable After his remarkable domination for 10 years. It is really a pity. When you see him Play now, there is a glimpse of his old magic, but the consistency will not be there anymore. A diehard Hendry Fan.
Every so often a switch just flips and he's absolutely unbeatable, but it only ever lasts a frame. That century last year with the two doubles, and the 3 cushion positional shots is incredible - yet he still got pumped!
@@lola_the_dinosaur7976 Totally agree on that. I do believe his Coach when he says stephen still has everything needed to be WC again. But his Head won‘t let him anymore. But he can still be proud of his career and achievements.
50yr old fellas got 25yr old hendry stuck in his head. But 25yr old hendry doesn’t even want to be there. Take the shot your playing tbe opponent not your 25yr old self mate
My game was also destroyed by this condition. Always felt like my need to prove myself in front of others it would kick in. For me i couldnt deliver the cue , it just got stuck. Fucking debilitating. I guess luckily it wasnt my profession. But still was soul destroying.
He's real, he's honest, he's human. All the things today's' completely under-achieving tik-tok, wanabee lazy, self absorbed narcissists aren't. Respect Sir, on being a really great and humble champion and showing us its all part of growing as a person... Read above Children if you have any hope of becoming an actual 'adult'..
Get hypnosis Stephen. When you walk out infront of people your walking into your practice table. Practice table. Practice table. Practice table. Alone Alone Alone. Peace freedom Hahaha 😆
He always had self doubt. Even in his prime. I played next to him at Camden snooker club before a championship, and his self doubt was front and center. Y
Nearly all players are worse in their 50s. Where is the question about decline independently of the yips issue? Most players are probably better on the practice table.
The problem is anxiety snookers a thinking sport and listening hendry a thinker and once you tell yourself you have a problem you have a problem. Keep telling yourself click click click. Play quicker.
A victim of his own success. No sports person can dominate their sport the way Stephen did without a heavy fall. He took snooker to a whole new level in the 90s and even he couldn't maintain that level
It was his 15 minutes of fame after Steve Davis and then followed Ronnie O'Sullivan. ROS has had 25 minutes truthfully, cos he exceptional and in a league of his own. No doubt Judd Trump will take over the mantle from ROS. When it's your time at the top, treasure it and be happy you were the best in that era.
@watgaz518 Absolutely. It must be very tough to be at the pinnacle of what you do you do, then to experience that slow, inexerable slide into relative mediocrity
Selby is the second greatest player after Ronnie. Eight of the last 12 WSC were won by the greatest player of all time Ronnie O'Sullivan & second greatest player of all time Mark Selby. They won 4 World titles each ( 2012-2023 ) Judd Trump 1 World title 2019. (2005-2023) Absolutely hilarious! Its the toughest era in snooker history,and that's why Judd cant win a second World title to save his life. Absolute fact 🏆 👌
@@wayneanthonyholmes4437wtf does Selby have to do with this, besides your head is up his arse. And your talking out of yours as well. That’s an absolute fact. That’s absolutely hilarious !
@@gb1967. This not an opinion but a fact! The King of the Crucible and GOAT in snooker.The Mega star in snooker! Stephen Hendry couldn't lace his boots. 9-4 to Ronnie against Hendry in 13 finals they played..9-8 to Ronnie against Hendry in Semi Finals..4-4 in QF 30 -21 to the GOAT Ronnie against Hendry Head To Head. 2004/8 WSC Semi Finals says all you need to know about Hendry Ronnie tore two new ones for Hendry where the sun don't shine 17-4 17-6 Facts! Hendry fan girls letting they're heart rule their heads! That;s even more Hilarious! Ronnie O'Sullivan 🐐
Stephen, you are putting too much pressure on yourself. I know it’s easier said than done but just play free, like it’s a bit of fun. Dare I say, like Mark Williams plays. If you miss a shot then so what, it can’t be any worse that mentally crippling yourself.
Hendry changed when O'Sullivan said back in 1999 that hendry "should go back to his old sh*** life". And in 2006 when O'Sullivan left the match at uk championships. He only did that to destroy hendry mentally and.... it worked
Not really. The “send him back to his sad little life” comment was in 2002, not 99, and Hendry beat Ronnie in that match. Hendry never cared about what people thought about him. His decline was due to his technical issues and the fact that he played so aggressively so he became much more beatable once he started missing more.
Simon ffs, you don't need to write a book when your asking a question mate, we all know you read a dictionary. Just get to the point and stop trying to sound like your intelligent taking 5 minutes to ask a simple question ffs.
The level of self reflection and humility he has shown here and other interviews he has done really shows the level of man stephen is, what a man
❤agreed
I never liked him as a player. He always won everything and always poker faced it. I always used to be rooting for his opponent. It was this interview that made me realise what a nice guy he actually is, got me watching his RUclips channel (which is great) and become interested in snooker again.
Jesus why don’t let him talk instead of interrupting him? Remember Nobody’s watching the video to hear what you have to say
stephen's got a great youtube channel these just incase you interested but didn't know.
@@braveheart4603 ok thanks I’ll check it out
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I remember a specific example of what Stephen was talking about, he would miss mid-distance pots when he was on them in a certain way, it stood out in the 2008 World Championship when he otherwise had a good run of form to reach the semis. Dennis Taylor mentioned it a few times in commentary. The pink that he missed by a large margin against Maguire in the 2012 WSC was also that type of shot. It's indeed difficult to make frame winning breaks regularly without sometimes leaving yourself that type of shot, which helps to explain why his break building declined - it must have been so frustrating, especially with only getting this problem on the match table and not in practice. I also remember Stephen sporadically missing easy balls, which is consistent with indecision over how to play shots as part of trying to avoid those bogey shots and, as the commentators say, taking your eye off the pot. I have no ideas on how to correct that problem though...
Sounds mental at root to me
likely he had set routines to practice. he talked about that that he was always quite rigid in what practice routines he did...
from a perspective of fixing the errors he made i dont know if he ever went the route of just getting massive amounts of reps in at the type of shots he was missing in matches. cause it sounds like he was missing or not cueing shots well that shouldve been quite easy for him. it mightve felt useless to him to rep those ad nauseum cause he put it down to nerves, while I think that the process of repping that kind of shot could do wonders to calm the nervous system when it matters.
I suspect stephen somehow didnt commit to that kind practice in his playing days. I remember on stephen channel ronnie and perhaps stephen too scoffing a bit at chinese players repeating the same shot over and over again in practice after they missed like that in match. tbf it perhaps wasnt scoffing but it sounded more like disregarding that style of practice.
@@dco1019 most definitely. However its not about how long you practice but how
Stephen Hendry in his prime. Was the fucking terminator.
He couldn't be bargained with. He couldn't be reasoned with. He didn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And he absolutely did not stop... ever, until his opponent was destroyed.
🤣🤣🤣
To me O'Sullivan is the greatest but I do agree with. Back in the 90s Stephen Henry was like terminator and you just know if the other player missed the terminator would not . But without the doubt he is the second greatest player of all and I would probably put John in third place..💯🇯🇲🇬🇧👍
@@vanbalzup6481 I do agree. To me Ronnie is the greatest sportsman of all time. And I do believe if certain things did not happen to O'Sullivan's family Ronnie would have won a not more in the 90s. And if Ronnie was in some of them six finals what the great Jimmy white lost . Without a doubt O'Sullivan would not have lost his bottle as Jimmy White did against the second greatest player Stephen hendry... And of course Stephen hendry dominated it because there wasn't as many great players around like now..🇯🇲🇬🇧👍
What a fantastic description
Funny you should say terminator that's what I have always called him... Felt like when I was a kid he never missed. I felt like throwing my TV through the window when he kept on beating Jimmy but Jimmy bottled it in my opinion two times.... The great terminator the second greatest player in history. 💯🇬🇧🇯🇲👍
I won't use the word yips in a way of describing it, after using the word three times 😂😂😂
It goes to show that the three most mentally challenging sports are those that rely on a single person striking or throwing one object. Golf, darts and snooker.
You only get one shot, do not lose your chance to blow....
Disc golf can also be added to that. Its easy to start, but the realities usually hit quickly, it is very difficult to master.
@@ErnoAliasc'mon mate it's called fellas throwing Frisbees
There’s no one else relying on you to perform…you don’t have to go back into a locker room knowing your team lost because of you! That’s a different mental challenge they don’t have to deal with
No snooker is very hard lol. Break building is one of the hardest things to do
The "Yips" isn't anything physical. Here's how you know. My competitive Archery was ruined by it (it's called "Gold Shy" or "Target Panic" in Archery).
I physically couldn't force the sights of my Bow into the centre (Gold) of the target. It felt like someone else was pushing in the opposite direction. A coach told me to take the arrow of the bow and try again. What the Hell.... I could hold the sights on the Gold at Olympic level ... without an arrow on the bow.
I figure that's a valid test in other sports. Take away the critical objective and everything is perfect.
It was explained to me as your brain trying to achieve absolute perfection... which is impossible in Sports where it's all about "feel". You need to trust to your feel, you can't force the issue.
Now the bad news .... it's very deep-rooted. It's no good telling yourself this. It's down in your caveman brain, in your subconscious.
I quit Archery competition and eventually I got over the problem to the extent where I started to compete again. Once again, when I started getting to a really good level, competing for top 10 spots ... it came back. My caveman subconscious started looking for perfection, and taking control of the Bow.
If you never had this (in Darts, Golf, Snooker, Archery ..whatever) then you really won't understand. It's very very strange, and very frustrating.
Comment if you experienced it.
It's focal dystonia and it's neurological. When you practice something intensely for years there are small map areas in your brain that control the movements necessary to complete the tasks. When you get dystonia the areas all tend to merge into one and you get muscles firing and tightening up when they shouldn't be. I'm a guitar player and it affected my right hand.
The fact that he doesn't get it when he plays on his own proves it isn't physical too. Well I suppose you could say it's physical in the sense that something is happening neurologically but it isn't something wrong with his arm or hand.
@@steviemac2681 That's it Stevie it's all in the brain and there's usually nothing wrong with the hand. It's usually task specific and only happens when the likes of Stephen plays snooker or a musician plays an instrument. It's a very weird thing. I noticed a strange sensation when i played guitar but it was very hard to describe. Then you start worrying about it and thinking about it which makes it worse.
In golf I've experienced the yips with short putts, that I felt I had to make. As soon as the clubhead approaches the ball, you get a muscle spasm, which throws the putt off line. Since you're already lined up, and know how hard to hit the ball, the solution just might be: take away the visual input, close your eyes. See the line, make the practice swing, stand over the ball, take one look at the hole, close your eyes and make the stroke. Either that or find a way to just not care whether it goes in or not.
I’ve had Dartitis for years. You described my Dartitis with the bow and arrow perfectly. If I look at the target I hesitate mid throw. If I look away or close my eyes…Boom Perfectly smooth . Like Jim says you watch players so less capable than you kicking your arse…Just not worth the suffering. I’ve quit comp now.
The 1999 worlds was remarkable. The doubt was creeping in and to win it in the fashion he did was unbelievable. The most dominant sports person of, perhaps, all time. Absolute hero and an absolute legend.
I think most sports people might have something to say about you calling him a sports person!
🎣
I think it’s just my opinion. Free to yours and I completely accept them 😊
I think it’s just my opinion. Free to yours and I completely accept them 😊
@davidmcgurrin Good shout.
Yes , in my opinion,( and I've played a lot of competitive Snooker) , Stephen Hendry is the greatest Snooker player ever , certainly the strongest mentally.
Still an absolute legend, Stephen! Hats off to what he's doing at the moment, youtube channel and commentating as he sees it. Also good to see a Johan Cruyff book on the shells
This man did not miss for ten years, complete and utter domination, it seems the GOAT debate has ended and Ronnie holds that accolade, but I am just not sure when I think back and remember Hendry blasting in century after century, game after game, year after year... I am not sure even Ronny could live with his cold, brutal, efficient ,clinical competitor.
It seems as has not fully explored possible physiological treatments/countermeasures, which is a bit disappointing, I am loathe to call him lazy, but surly if he still retains a world championship winning game in practice his issues are physiological, so why not explore this?....I would love to see him come back to his best and put some manners on Ronnie!!
You were too lazy to check the spelling for “surely”
If you know anything about snooker and its history,you'd know Ronnie owns Hendry's
Hendry couldn't live with Prime Ronnie
Surprise .Surprise...
Ronnie vs Hendry....9-4 to Ronnie in 13 finals they played..9-8 to Ronnie in Semi Finals
4-4 in QF.....2004/8 WSC Semi Finals is all you need to know about Stephen Hendry
Ronnie tore him two new ones where the sun don't shine! 17-4 and 17-6
He is still playing because he can,and did not cry YIPS like princessyips.
Another Hendry femboy envious that the GOAT Ronnie O'Sullivan is still World 1 and has won more ranking & major titles than Hendry will ever win! 👍
@@WayneAunthonyHolmesbit misleading because Hendry was out of his prime by 2003.Ronnie could never win 3 in a row never mind 5 in a row like Hendry.
@@sabra1066 Ronnie won in a harder era. Hendry yapimp won in a pisspoorera. Big difference!
@@sabra1066 Out of hie prime is a BS & pathetic excuse. When Ronnie was beat yapimp Hendry in major finals as a 17 year old. He beat Hendry in the 1993 UKC Final. He made Hendry cry and wet his knickers. Stop with the BS
This happened to the tennis player Guillermo Coria. He was the original 'King of Clay' and nailed on to be world Number 1 in 2004. He collapsed in the French Open Final from two sets up and 4-4 40:0 up in the third to lose to journeyman Gaston Gaudio in what is considered one of the biggest chokes in tennis history. His form dropped off a cliff after that and he suffered with the service yips for years before tamely retiring at 27. He never won another significant title. Very strange and inexplicable condition.
It’s like he needs reminding of who he is, and not who he was regardless of age. It’s a shame to see him so low in confidence. I don’t get to play much snooker anymore with being a busy dad, but when I was at secondary school I saved up my pocket money to buy a small snooker table which would fit in my mum n dad’s garage and I’d play most nights before going to bed. He was my inspiration, loved seeing him back in the days when he was focused and had that winning mentality. He’s a legend in my eyes and for me the GOAT for that inspiration he gave me to pickup a cue and have fun and play.
didn't use to like Stephen as, growing up in the 90s, he was always on the screen, poker-faced, emotionless, and winning - he was so good it just became boring as you always knew he would win...only now do I appreciate how darn good he was, and I love his RUclips channel, too - a completely different person to the one I thought he was. Enjoying this clip so far 👍
You still sound like an 8 year old 😅
Stephen has said the persona he had then was intentional, partly because the player he most admired, Steve Davis, did the same. Rarely spoke to anybody. Said playing at that level, your mindset isn't about winning against your friends.
Was going to say exactly that
I used to go to the Crucible just to see Hendry play. It was a strange phenomenon because it was like watching perfection. As soon as he knocked a long ball in from the top cushion the frame was over .He never missed there was like a mystical aura about him it’s difficult to describe.Tragic what happened with the yips , in my opinion it cost him at least three more titles. How good would the 2000s have been with O’Sullivan and Hendry playing at their best at the same time.Go and watch the 2002 World semi final grudge match between them on here to see how good it could have been.
Surprise .Surprise...
Ronnie vs Hendry....9-4 to Ronnie in 13 finals they played..9-8 to Ronnie in Semi Finals
4-4 in QF.....2004/8 WSC Semi Finals is all you need to know about Stephen Hendry
Ronnie tore him two new ones where the sun don't shine! 17-4 and 17-6
He is still playing because he can,and did not cry YIPS like princessyipsAnother Hendry femboy envious that the GOAT Ronnie O'Sullivan is still World 1 and has won more ranking & major titles than Hendry will ever win! 👍
@@wayneanthonyholmes4437what a weirdo you are
@@wayneanthonyholmes4437 Why do you feel the need to shit on Hendry? Lol the man's been retired 12 years now and nobody's debating against Ronnie being the Goat here. As for the original post I agree it is a pity Hendry's game deteriorated in the 00s. I remember watching in awe of their matches from 97-02, it felt like there was never a safe ball on the table!
@@jamiesherrard7263
@wayneanthonyholmes4437
3 days ago
Surprise .Surprise...AGAIN
Ronnie vs Hendry....9-4 to Ronnie in 13 finals they played..9-8 to Ronnie in Semi Finals
4-4 in QF.....2004/8 WSC Semi Finals is all you need to know about Stephen Hendry
Ronnie tore him two new ones where the sun don't shine! 17-4 and 17-6
He is still playing because he can,and did not cry YIPS like princessyips Another Hendry femboy envious that the GOAT Ronnie O'Sullivan is still World 1 and has won more ranking & major titles than Hendry will ever win! 👍
@@jamiesherrard7263 Because he's INSANE, does it on all of Hendrys videos...BIZZARE! 🤯
Sadder and sadder that we never got an extended Ronnie vs Hendry rivalry. Snooker titans!
Not a big snooker fan but love hendry used to watch him with my grandad he allways had the snooker on back in the day feel so sorry for such a legendary player just hope he stops criticizing himself and look at what he's done with his career
Really enjoy following Stephen Hendry. Proven to be a real good guy.
Hendry was the player ihat inspired me to pick up a cue. One of the all time greats
‘ It was easy ‘. 😂😂 Beats my highest break of 31 after playing for 42 years then.
His you tube channel is great, I Definitely say he is more loved now.l
He grew up, evolved and a great product from the system..
Hope he see’s what we will see, 🙏🏻❤️
It happens to everyone I’m afraid in all walks of life and professions. For me it was my health and physical ability.
Spinal osteoarthritis in my lumbar spine in my 50’s. Being told there was no cure and I wouldn’t be able to do the
things I used to. It will spread to all your major joints and just get worse. You won’t be able to Work, train, swim,
cycle, run, jump, lift heavy things, stand for long periods, sit for long periods….
Whilst I have sympathy for hendry I’d swop any day the loss of ability to do my job because of metal issues whilst
keeping my health and ability to enjoy life. A wheelchair is my future and total disability. I know many people are in that
position and have a good life. But when you’re 70 and in that position it’s very hard to see the point of life.
I remember John Parrot saying as he got older he started remembering the shots he'd missed rather than the ones he'd made.
Poker players always remember the hands they lose rather than the hands they won
Another problem is the game caught him up, and suddenly he was beatable which must of been hard to take when he was so dominant
True, he was so far ahead of the mid-90s competition.
If he played at his level now, he’d be a top 5 player but not dominant.
That said, who’s to say that his game NOW wouldn’t be 10% because the competition was better also.
Still a legend in my eyes and there’s never been anyone in any sport as dominant as him I don’t think.
“I’ve got no confidence…”
It sounds mental to me tbh. Watching yourself doesn’t work because there’s no psychological connection. Thats why the right visualisation is required to reprogram the brain
Reminds me of a line given by Tom Selleck from a movie called *Mr Baseball,* _"All my life I just wanted to hit the ball, now I'm trying not to miss"_
Massively underrated film, I highly recommend watching, very funny too.
Great shout.
Legend. Just keep playing for fun man. Screw the competition.
I'd argue it was all psychological. starts in the mind and creates a physical yip.
yeah the belief went and doubt crept in on shots
Best player under pressure there ever was, had no idea he had this condition, what a shocker, glad he gets to commentate on tv now!
How bizarre. The most mentally strong sportsman Ive ever seen has become anxious
And it came from nowhere, it struck him when he least expected it. If you told him in 2002 that this condition would see him lose a world championship when he had already won 7, he would've thought you nuts
Would be nice if the interviewer would shut up occasionally
A terminator, the best in his day, no one came close to him, not even Ronnie, totally dominated the game.
Hendrys problem is that is he now thinks like us mortals.
He thinks "please dont miss" when pros never think like that
yeah now he thinks like that but it is strange how it can happen to people out of knowhere and its over for them
@@miniramptricks1986 yeah well i think its a mix of loss of ambition less practice and then doubts creeping in.
Im a fairly decent snooker player, i can make a few 20 breaks and maybe the odd 40 in a days play...
But what ive realised is what seperates me from really good players who make 50s and 60s is that they see a pot and a chance to score, where i see a potential miss and gifted chance to my opposition
Jordan looks like an amateur therapist in need of a hygiene lesson 😂😂😂
If not for the yips, Stephen may easily have gone on to have the same longevity as Higgins, Williams and O'Sullivan.
what is it then?
Definitely
I was born with the yips
Thank you Stephen
Cue Tips .. Stephens channel .. addictive ..
I had similar decline in fighting at school. For years I was dominant, beating up older kids. Everyone feared me. Then suddenly it all disappeared. Lost whatever I had. Final straw was losing to a kid wearing a cast despite ambushing him. So I can relate.
Henry is the best I’ve seen! He won more in 10 years than anyone! He had hit levels of consistency that no other pro has been even close too. He is the goat! When o’sullivan tells you Henry is the goat, just shut up and listen!
O’Sullivan never says he’s the goat. When asked he says Hendry. If you ask Hendry he says O’Sullivan.
O'Sullivan stats are well ahead of Henry, imo everyone now knows that Ronnie is the goat
His name is Hendry
@Kevoshea
His name is Robert Paulson
@@JackSmith-kp2vs😅
He wasn’t just good. He was the best.
He was, now he's the second best ever
@@carlbarraclough1688By overall career stats yes - but peak Stephen Hendry (91/92 season where he had his insane win streak) is the highest performing snooker player of all time by quite a margin.
It's taken Ronnie 30 years to surpass what Stephen did in under 10.
It's also worth saying that his run at number 1 is the most impressive ever as up until 2010 we used an annual ranking system so it was harder to keep your spot.
@@lola_the_dinosaur7976what do you mean? An annual ranking system meant you kept your spot for a whole year, even if you were having a bad season
@@CarlBriggs861 Yeah, i agree , its harder now, the rankings change after every ranking tournament, Ronnie is ranked no 1 , has just won the UK championship and the masters, but will lose his no 1 ranking if trump wins the current tournament and ronnie doesn't make the final.
Most sportsmen who played their sport at a reasonably high level can attest to finding the psychological aspect of the sport the most infuriating to deal with. I played club cricket for 20 years at a high level and even was captain for 6 years. When I felt invincible I used to walk out, tap my bat like a hulk, take my mark, ignore all chatter, and when appropriate absolutely drilled my shots all over the place. The moment you are given out without scoring well, the doubt sets in. All your past performances mean nothing at that point. You start to doubt if you are up for the game at the age you are at. You wonder if your skill levels have deteriorated. Then one day you score big again, feel invincible, and then fail and repeat the process all over again.
Best there has been. His dominance in the 90s was unbelievable.
He’s turned into Steve Bruce
One of the greatest to ever pick up a snooker cue - in broad terms he seems in good spirits, which is good to see. Nice punchy interview extract; I'm going to take a look at the unabridged version now. Thanks for uploading.
As a Scot he is a hero. I remember as a kid in the year he lost to Ken in the final. Fell in love with snooker since
Remember back in the 80's as a teenager i would laugh at my mates who got dartitis and i would say then it's all in the head you dafty. We would practice back then every night of the week and all weekend and i would tell them to throw left handed for a few days then switch back. It did the trick for them but i've seen grown men today standing on an Oche then falling near flat on their faces because they can't release the dart. Sorry but it still cracks me up even today because i know from nearly 40yrs ago it's all in the head, nothing to do with your body parts. Hendry on/off the table is still in my opinion the greatest ever player to hold a cue, Ronnie is there with him but a complete fruitcake mentally but blame his parents for that.
Not getting a sports psychologist was the main reason he never got back to his glory days. So many sports stars would never get to where they’ve gotten to without a sports psychologist.
Stephen needs to workout. He’s getting into the real bad health territory.
Ronnie held his own against Stephen. Ronnie' head to head is 30-20. There was about an 18 month period in the 90s where Hendry did win consistently . Other than that Ronnie was the equal and more. From 1990 to 96 Hendry was utterly dominant , but had this spell when Ron was still in his teens. All that said..Peak Ron v Peak Ste would be a great watch. Ron has a much better saftey game.
Crazy to think hendry had 7 world championships at 32 lol WATP
Martin Samuel as next guest!
I've just heard Simon on the radio (10th Jan) disagreeing with Martin Samuel and his stance on FFP.
That would be an interesting debate!
It really doesn't sound like one.
STEPHEN LEE
Nobody dominated like Hendry in such a short space of time
Life can be very cruel. To see his obvious discomfort talking about losing to non-entities and feeling like like two different people. It's as though some fickle god gave him a superpower and then snatched it away on a whim.
So he knows it is psychological, which can be fixed, but he doesnt seem too fussed about getting it sorted.
No it's actually neurological and you have no control over it. There is no cure. People learn to live with it and work around it but you are never the same.
@@JohnVieto Had no such thing as yips. The overrated fraud could not handle the rising standards. Its as simple as that!
Yeah, although he doesn't say it it seems more to me that somehow deep down he knows he can't overcome it.
39 now, Hendry was someone I respected immensely growing up, ice cold focus. Come on lad, sort it.
Pure winner, Tiger woods very similar.. Not easy when that comes crashing down, due to the imbalance created by focused mental state purring for years..
Osulkivan couldn't lace his boots.
@@Dinobaburas.
Couldn't lace his boots? Says a know nothing muppet... 9-4 to Ronnie against Hendry in 13 finals they played..9-8 to Ronnie against Hendry in Semi Finals..4-4 in QF
30 -21 to the GOAT Ronnie against Hendry Head To Head.
2004/8 WSC Semi Finals says all you need to know about Hendry
Ronnie tore two new ones for Hendry where the sun don't shine 17-4 17-6 Facts! Mind your language mug instead of letting your heart rule your head! Hilarious!
@@wayneanthonyholmes4437 I take it you're engerlish!
@jimwatson3382 He's from Blackpool, and tried to fight with people that disagree with his views. 😂
I think he's still at school, personally.
Stephen, go and talk to a sports psychologist! What have you got to lose?
Top and bottom of it is you have to practice Stephen had fallen out of love with the game and wasn’t prepared to practice.
@thomasreed49
It’s lucky you know more about Hendry than himself
@@JackSmith-kp2vs
Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit used by fools And they’re uneducated
Absolute snooker legend and a top bloke
i remember him as a 16 yr old - skinny - amazing how age changes all of us
Is it true Steve Davis still struggles whether to go for the pink or the brown?
Have to use an extension at his age , too.
Self doubt is an awful thing, john Higgins seems to be suffering with it at present
Bernard Langer overcame the Yips 3 times and look what he is still doing his 60's.
Perhaps Stephen could still overcome this problem?
I feel a bit sorry for him. He is always so harsh to himself. His Problem is his Head not his hands or arms. He missed to embrace the challenge oh being beatable After his remarkable domination for 10 years. It is really a pity.
When you see him Play now, there is a glimpse of his old magic, but the consistency will not be there anymore.
A diehard Hendry Fan.
Every so often a switch just flips and he's absolutely unbeatable, but it only ever lasts a frame. That century last year with the two doubles, and the 3 cushion positional shots is incredible - yet he still got pumped!
@@lola_the_dinosaur7976 Totally agree on that. I do believe his Coach when he says stephen still has everything needed to be WC again. But his Head won‘t let him anymore.
But he can still be proud of his career and achievements.
I'd like to know how Simon overcame his on stage panic attacks!
50yr old fellas got 25yr old hendry stuck in his head.
But 25yr old hendry doesn’t even want to be there.
Take the shot your playing tbe opponent not your 25yr old self mate
Get in contact with Dr. Bob Rotella. I’d love to see Hendry win another tournament 🙏💪😎
Never gonna happen
My game was also destroyed by this condition. Always felt like my need to prove myself in front of others it would kick in. For me i couldnt deliver the cue , it just got stuck. Fucking debilitating. I guess luckily it wasnt my profession. But still was soul destroying.
He's real, he's honest, he's human. All the things today's' completely under-achieving tik-tok, wanabee lazy, self absorbed narcissists aren't.
Respect Sir, on being a really great and humble champion and showing us its all part of growing as a person...
Read above Children if you have any hope of becoming an actual 'adult'..
My advice to Mr Henry is to pretend he's invisible when playing in front of crowds.
Self doubt is a downward spiral. We overthink and end up convincing ourselves "we can't do it". I've found it's easier to just get up and do it.
In Ireland yips just make you dance all night
I always thought it was because his cue was broken by luggage handlers. Everydays a school day I suppose
Frank Cannon? I didn't know he played snooker as well as being a cop? (Joke)
Best snooker players of all time Ronnie..Hendry.. Davies..
The yips is fear of loosing thats exactly what it is an you start snatching
Get hypnosis Stephen. When you walk out infront of people your walking into your practice table. Practice table. Practice table. Practice table. Alone Alone Alone. Peace freedom Hahaha 😆
Sorry for the guy 😥
Well done ,
ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING!!!!Stephen Hendry 7 world championships with self doubt and no confidence!!!unbelievable! But so interesting 🤔
He always had self doubt. Even in his prime. I played next to him at Camden snooker club before a championship, and his self doubt was front and center. Y
if you are going to interview Steve at least get the facts right in the first question !
Snooker has fond its way into Hendry's head.
Hendry at his best, possibly beats Ronnie at his best over a best of 35 world final.
Nearly all players are worse in their 50s. Where is the question about decline independently of the yips issue? Most players are probably better on the practice table.
The problem is anxiety snookers a thinking sport and listening hendry a thinker and once you tell yourself you have a problem you have a problem. Keep telling yourself click click click. Play quicker.
A victim of his own success. No sports person can dominate their sport the way Stephen did without a heavy fall. He took snooker to a whole new level in the 90s and even he couldn't maintain that level
It was his 15 minutes of fame after Steve Davis and then followed Ronnie O'Sullivan. ROS has had 25 minutes truthfully, cos he exceptional and in a league of his own. No doubt Judd Trump will take over the mantle from ROS. When it's your time at the top, treasure it and be happy you were the best in that era.
"15 minutes of fame"
Terrible take
@@benx6549 true, used the wrong expression. He/They had their era of glory, which for no one, lasts forever. You savour them times while they last.
@watgaz518 Absolutely. It must be very tough to be at the pinnacle of what you do you do, then to experience that slow, inexerable slide into relative mediocrity
King of snooker , fuck Ronnie that's the goat
Davis and Hendry are the best ever, I know Ronnie is a consistently great but he never dominated for a Decade like Davis and Hendry.
But Ronnie still winning and he's nearly 50. Davis and Hendry were gone, long before Ronnie's age.
Greatest in their own era, for sure. Greatest ever is ROS.
Disgusting William hill adverts all over these videos from simon
2nd best of all time.
GOAT 🐐
Just enjoy what you do now. Got nothing to prove anymore.
Selby is the second greatest player after Ronnie.
Eight of the last 12 WSC were won by the greatest player of all time Ronnie O'Sullivan & second greatest player of all time Mark Selby. They won 4 World titles each ( 2012-2023 )
Judd Trump 1 World title 2019. (2005-2023) Absolutely hilarious!
Its the toughest era in snooker history,and that's why Judd cant win a second World title to save his life.
Absolute fact 🏆 👌
@@wayneanthonyholmes4437Selby 😂😂
@@wayneanthonyholmes4437wtf does Selby have to do with this, besides your head is up his arse. And your talking out of yours as well. That’s an absolute fact. That’s absolutely hilarious !
@@gb1967. Ur head is up princessyips arse,you cant
@@gb1967.
This not an opinion but a fact!
The King of the Crucible and GOAT in snooker.The Mega star in snooker!
Stephen Hendry couldn't lace his boots.
9-4 to Ronnie against Hendry in 13 finals they played..9-8 to Ronnie against Hendry in Semi Finals..4-4 in QF
30 -21 to the GOAT Ronnie against Hendry Head To Head.
2004/8 WSC Semi Finals says all you need to know about Hendry
Ronnie tore two new ones for Hendry where the sun don't shine 17-4 17-6 Facts! Hendry fan girls letting they're heart rule their heads! That;s even more Hilarious!
Ronnie O'Sullivan 🐐
I urge Stephen to get his eyes tested. Eyesight is key to snooker. Contact lenses are shite, you need a good pair of specs.
He has glasses, I've seen him with them on him but not playing
should go see Dr Steve Peters,bet he could help
The yips had a lot to do with three guys coming along that were better than him.
Thing is, he was mentally the best… there has to be a limit on the human condition etc insane
Stephen, you are putting too much pressure on yourself. I know it’s easier said than done but just play free, like it’s a bit of fun. Dare I say, like Mark Williams plays. If you miss a shot then so what, it can’t be any worse that mentally crippling yourself.
Hendry changed when O'Sullivan said back in 1999 that hendry "should go back to his old sh*** life". And in 2006 when O'Sullivan left the match at uk championships. He only did that to destroy hendry mentally and.... it worked
Not really. The “send him back to his sad little life” comment was in 2002, not 99, and Hendry beat Ronnie in that match. Hendry never cared about what people thought about him. His decline was due to his technical issues and the fact that he played so aggressively so he became much more beatable once he started missing more.
The yips , bottle gone, end of story
Simon ffs, you don't need to write a book when your asking a question mate, we all know you read a dictionary. Just get to the point and stop trying to sound like your intelligent taking 5 minutes to ask a simple question ffs.