Hendry admits weakness
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ByEurosport
Published 30/04/2007 at 16:19 GMT
Stephen Hendry admitted he was low on confidence after being knocked out of the World Championship in the second round. The seven-time champion was beaten 13-6 on Monday by Ali Carter after struggling past world number 66 David Gilbert in the first round.
SNOOKER; Stephen Hendry; 2007
Image credit: Imago
Hendry - who started the season as world number one but has dropped to eighth in the provisional rankings - has been criticised for changing his cue a month prior to the tournament.
The 38-year-old Scot insisted he had been practicing well, but was lacking in self-belief after a spell of over two seasons - 16 ranking tournaments - without victory since his 2005 Malta Cup triumph.
"It was the story of my season out there," he said. "For some reason, I can't reproduce the way I play in practice in a match.
"I don't seem to be able to cue with the same freedom and therefore I can't play my natural game. That's like giving people a 50-point start in every frame.
"I'm obviously lacking confidence - I haven't won a tournament for three years. If you haven't got that ultimate self-belief, you will struggle.
"No one wants to hear how well you’re practising but it’s frustrating when you know how well you are playing.
"I'm taking a break now it's the end of the season. I'll get away from the game completely, take a holiday, spend time with my family and I'll watch bits of this tournament to see who wins - but I don't care a jot who wins.
"But I don't want to take anything away from Allister. I thought his performance was fantastic. His safety play especially was some of the best that's ever been played against me. I can't remember being snookered so much in my life."
Carter will face Mark Selby or Peter Ebdon in the last eight.
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