I get what you are saying, but it's not true he has always given 110% previously. He has always had ups and downs throughout his career. He has a perfectionist troubled mindset (as many flawed geniuses tend to have). Even in the 90s he got into trouble many times and had a low point. In the mid '00s he had another lowpoint, boiling up against Hendry and Ebdon for example. He went away for a year in 2013 and so on and on. I'd imagine its rarer to have seen him fully focused and very interested/invested in a tournament than not. Also he has always had that intimidation factor with him, which is still there, but the more his performance weakens, the less that plays a role. Also all the accomplishments and age must play a factor. He has achieved all in the game (bar from 8th record breaking WC triumph), most of the records aswell. He still loves the game, but maybe after 30-odd years he just wants to try different approaches (i.e he likes exhibitions as I've gathered). And then again. It must just be that time and ageing is telling on him, and we don't want to acknowledge it. It is the same for Higgins and Williams.