Fury story rings bell for Selby

TYSON ADVICE IS SO USEFUL

MARK SELBY says he has drawn inspiration from world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury’s mental health battles.

Three-time world champion Selby revealed last week he had even considered taking his own life as a teenager – and later saw depression return, for which he remains on medication.

The world No4 from Leicester had a tough upbringing, saw his mother leave home when he was eight and father and mentor David die when he was just 16.

Selby, who has gone on to carve out a brilliant career, said: “My wife Vikki just bought me the Tyson Fury book for Christmas, with him having spoken out about what he went through.

“He basically says, ‘Don’t lock yourself away… speak to people’. At the time it was bad, I was doing just that, locking myself away, and becoming a lot worse for it.”

Meanwhile, Stephen Hendry admits he is still not ready for a drawn-out comeback after a series of false starts – but is now eyeing next month’sWelsh Open.

The seven-time world champion was due to play this week for the

first time on tour since 2012. But the 52-year-old pulled out of the Pro Series event in Milton Keynes when he was not given his preferred March playing date.

The Scot accepted a two-year tour card from Barry Hearn in early September but feels he has not put in enough practice hours to avoid “embarrassment”.

Hendry, now considering February’s Home Nations event, said: “The aim is to possibly play at the Crucible, so I would have to play in something before those qualifiers.

“The Welsh Open in February could be an option now.”