Exit of four-time world champion Selby opens door to retirement

The "pathetic" exit of the four-time world champion Selby opens the door for him to retire. GETTY IMAGES

Four-time world snooker champion Mark Selby crashed out of the World Championship first round on Monday, losing 10-6 to tournament debutant Joe O'Connor. If he continues to compete, he admits he will need "mental support".

Mark Selby is considering quitting the sport. His "pathetic" exit from the World Championship in Sheffield has left him, in his own words, "contemplating retirement".

Selby was beaten 10-6 in the first round of the World Championship on Monday by Joe O'Connor. O'Connor was the only player making his World Championship debut this year. The unexpected defeat capped a very poor season for Selby, who has dropped to fifth in the world rankings. "I will take a long time to think about it over the summer," said the 40-year-old, as quoted by AFP.

"Away from snooker I'm happy, but when I come to snooker it's the opposite. It has been pathetic from start to finish," added one of the greatest players in the history of the game, but one who is going through a difficult time.

Mark Selby admits that he doesn't enjoy playing. GETTY IMAGES

O'Connor, the only debutant in the field at The Crucible, raced to a 7-2 lead in the first session on Sunday. He held on for the biggest win of his career despite a comeback attempt from one of his snooker heroes. "I'm going to sit down with (my wife) Vicky and see what the options are," Selby added.

"Obviously it will be a big decision, but if I am going to continue to play, I will need some help, probably more on the mental side of it, just to be able to go out there and enjoy the game. That's all I want to do, go out there and enjoy it and for me it's always kind of life or death. I've always been that kind of character, putting too much pressure on myself and trying too hard."

Joe O'Connor won in his debut at the World Championship against Selby. GETTY IMAGES

Richard O'Sullivan, the seven-time world champion, is also at the World Championship. He too is going through a difficult time. He wants to win his eighth title, but he is also considering changing some of his methods to win the championship. That's why he's hired a former coach to help him get started.

As well as his four World Championships, Mark Selby's list of achievements includes twenty-two ranking titles. This makes him the eighth most decorated player in history. He has won the Masters three times and the British Championship twice, making nine Triple Crown trophies, tied with John Higgins and trailing only Ronnie O'Sullivan.