NO JOKE FOR THE JESTER
Former champ Selby admits he could quit game after crashing out to rookie O’connor in 1st round
MARK SELBY refused to rule out retirement after being dumped out of the World Championship.
The downbeat four-time world champion, 40, was knocked out 10-6 by potting ninja Joe O’connor, who practices mixed martial arts four times a week, in an allleicester bout.
All-time great Selby, who has suffered with spells of depression during his illustrious career, will consider his future with wife Vikki during the off season.
“I was pathetic from start to finish,” groaned Selby.
“I’ll definitely review [my future] in the summer. I’ll have a few weeks off where I switch off from snooker.
“For me, my happiness is the most important thing. There’s a mental block somewhere and I stop myself from playing. I can’t keep doing that. It’s no good for me, it makes me ill and gets me down mentally as well.
“With everything I’ve achieved I should be able to just play and enjoy it.
“But, for me it’s sort of always life or death, I’ve always been that kind of character, always putting too much pressure on myself and try too hard.
“For the majority of the season I’ve not enjoyed it at all and I do my own head in.
“If I carry on I’ll look at picking and choosing my tournaments, Vikki seems to think I should do that, and spend more time with the family and have a clear head because away from snooker I’m happy.
“I don’t want to be where I was at the Masters a few years ago when I spoke out. I don’t want to go through the motions and feel like it’s a chore coming to tournaments.
“It would be a big decision. I’ll sit down with Vikki and assess the options.” The world No.5 resumed 7-2 down overnight and battled his way back to 9-6 before composed qualifier O’connor got over the line.
Selby embraced
his protege and wants to see the world No.30 follow in his footsteps and lift the trophy.
He added: “I told him I’m really chuffed to bits for him and there’s no one more proud of him than me.”
O’connor is the only debutant in the field and is full of confidence heading into the last 16.
The 28-year-old proved he was no rabbit in the headlights as he scored the seismic scalp of Selby, the fourth seed sent to the Sheffield scrapheap.
Breaks of 122, 101, 74, 67, 61 and 57 did the damage.
And he beamed: “It’s one of the greatest days of my career. It’s right up there with my biggest wins.
“I’ve watched Mark go right to the top and it’s always inspired me to do what he’s done.”