By Daniel Orme
Mark Selby hinted that he could retire this year after his shock World Championship exit, with the four-time world champion then looking uncomfortable after being hugged by BBC Sport reporter Rob Walker.
The 40-year-old fell at the first hurdle at the Crucible on Monday afternoon. He slumped to a 10-6 defeat to debutant Joe O'Connor.
It represented his earliest exit at the tournament since 2018. And now the four-time world champion has hinted that he is ready to put real thought into the prospect of retiring.
Speaking to the BBC after his defeat to O’Connor, Selby said: "I don’t know, I’ll definitely still review in the summer. Because that first session I felt like I stopped myself from playing when I had my chances.
“I tried today and that’s all I can do, but just not good enough. I just made it too easy for him in the first session. I can’t keep doing that, it’s no good for me. It makes me ill and gets me down mentally. I tried to just get on with it and play ,but it’s easier to do that when you’re 7-2 behind because you just let your arm go.
"I’ll sit down with Vikki and see what the options are, I know it will be a big decision, but if I do carry on playing then I do need help on the mental side a little bit more. Just to go out there and enjoy the game, that’s all I want to do.
"For me it’s always life or death, I’ve always been that sort of character, putting too much pressure on myself and trying too hard. With what I’ve achieved I should be able to just go out there and play but I stop myself doing it every time."
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After the interview Walker grabbed Selby in an embrace and the star looked more than a little non-plussed. Selby’s shock elimination follows another final appearance last season where he wasdefeated by eventual champion Luca Brecel. His exit this term is just the latest in a long line of blows throughout the current campaign.
Selby’s only title throughout 2023/24 was the Championship League Invitational that took place in his home city of Leicester in March. He secured the £10,000 prize pot by ironically defeating Joe O’Connor 3-1 in the final.
He enjoyed no such luck this time and found himself 7-2 down on frames after the first session at The Crucible. It is not the first time that Selby has questioned his future in snooker.
He was also left furious after a defeat to Gary Wilson in the first round of the Tour Championship. Selby said: “I was pathetic from start to finish. Probably one of the worst games I've played as a professional. If I carry on playing like that I won't be enjoying it and choosing a different career, for sure.
“I'll give the World Championships a go but if I carry on like that I won't carry on, 100%. I've always said, when it gets to the point I'm not enjoying it, it doesn't matter where I am in the rankings, I'll be hanging my cue up. I can't enjoy performances like that.”
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