Arizona Tribune - Selby considers retirement after 'pathetic' world championship exit

NYSE - LSE
BCC 4.07% 77.98 $
RBGPF 7.49% 76.2 $
RIO 3.48% 84.56 $
CMSC 2.5% 20.36 $
GSK 4.79% 51.15 $
BCE 2.7% 21.11 $
NGG 2.8% 85.22 $
BTI 3.29% 62.97 $
RYCEF 0.59% 16.94 $
RELX 4.09% 41.08 $
JRI 2.41% 11.64 $
BP -4.34% 45.61 $
CMSD 2.02% 20.27 $
AZN 2.71% 189.01 $
VOD 4.05% 16.28 $
Selby considers retirement after 'pathetic' world championship exit
Selby considers retirement after 'pathetic' world championship exit / Photo: Oli SCARFF - AFP

Selby considers retirement after 'pathetic' world championship exit

Four-time snooker world champion Mark Selby is considering retirement after crashing out at the first round of the world championship 10-6 to qualifier Joe O'Connor on Monday.

Text size:

Defeat capped a dismal season for Selby, who has slipped to fifth in the world rankings.

"I will take a long time to think about it over the summer," said the 40-year-old.

"Away from snooker I'm happy, then when I come to snooker it's the opposite. It was pathetic from start to finish."

O'Connor, who is the only debutant in the field at The Crucible amassed a 7-2 lead during the first session on Sunday and held on for the biggest win of his career despite a rally from one of his snooker heroes.

"I'll sit down with (my wife) Vicky and see what the options are," added Selby.

"Obviously it will be a big decision but if I do carry on playing I need help, probably on the mental side of it a little bit more just 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 sort of life or death; I've always been that kind of character, putting too much pressure on myself and trying too hard."

K.Hill--AT