Stuart Hogg retired from professional rugby primarily due to a significant physical and emotional decline. He felt "miles off the pace," being slower and more physically worn out than before, and was experiencing pain and exhaustion from training and matches. Hogg described a "horrible period" where he realized his love for the game was gone and he could no longer meet the standards he set for himself. He chose to retire early, at age 30, rather than risk going to the Rugby World Cup not feeling like himself or enjoying the sport. This decision was driven by the physical toll on his body and the emotional challenges of losing his leadership role in the team.
Additionally, Hogg has faced personal issues off the field, including social media abuse and a public breakdown of his marriage, which have impacted him significantly. After retiring, he also spent time in a rehabilitation center to "reset" and address these challenges, showing the strain was both physical and mental.
In summary, Stuart Hogg retired mainly due to physical decline and emotional burnout from professional rugby, compounded by personal difficulties outside the sport.
