Ken Doherty, the renowned former world champion from Dublin, has officially retired from professional snooker at the age of 56. Best known for his stunning victory over Stephen Hendry in the 1997 World Championship, Doherty has had a remarkable career, which included reaching two more World Championship finals and competing in three UK Championship finals and two Masters events. After turning professional in 1990, he won six ranking events and reached a peak ranking of number two. However, since 2017, he has struggled to maintain his position on the main circuit, relying on invitational tour cards. In a recent statement, Doherty acknowledged the difficulty of competing against younger players, expressing that he no longer has the stamina to qualify for the Crucible. While he plans to continue playing in senior events, he has decided it is time to end his professional career. Reflecting on his journey, he noted that he wished he had retired earlier but remains passionate about the sport.