ALAN MCMANUS ANNOUNCED his retirement as a player after losing to Chinese teenager Bai Langning in the World Championship qualifiers.

Former world number six McManus, bidding for a 22nd Crucible appearance, was beaten 6-3 in the second qualifying round.

The 50-year-old Scot, a three-time Crucible semi-finalist and now a television commentator, turned professional in 1991, 12 years before his 18-year-old opponent was born.

“I made the decision before Christmas for a number of reasons,” McManus told World Snooker Tour.

“Through Covid, this year’s been pretty tough and I’m working at tournaments as people would know, and it takes its toll. I’ve not been able to play.”

McManus, Masters champion in 1994, said he would now focus on his television work, adding: “I really love it. It’s a privileged position that I have.

“It’s just been really difficult doing both. I’m 50 as well and I always thought that was a good old number.

“It’s a young guys game now and you’ve got to face up to that, but I don’t have a problem with it.”

Anthony Hamilton, Louis Heathcote, Igor Figueiredo and Peter Lines all progressed to the third qualifying round at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.