Mark Selby: I genuinely considered snooker retirement but now I’m feeling good again
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Exclusive interview: Amid mental health struggles and a disappointing World Championship exit, four-time world champion Selby almost quit the sport but as his form has returned he’s ready to correct a baffling recent Masters record. Mark Selby’s record in the Masters makes for a puzzling read. In his first seven appearances at one of snooker’s most prestigious events, which makes up one-third of the sport’s triple crown, he made the final on five occasions, winning it three times, including on his debut in 2008.
![[Mark Selby is a four-time world champion]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/05/03/06/bc8011347f2bf2f3f06be82f500e10abY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE0NzIzNzk1-2.59562477.jpg)
But after reaching the 2014 final, where he lost to fierce rival Ronnie O’Sullivan, Selby hasn’t won more than a single match in any of the 10 editions since. For a man who is renowned for his consistency, and regarded by many as the toughest match-player in the history of snooker, it’s a truly baffling run of results – especially as he says he relishes the famously raucous atmosphere at Alexandra Palace.
![[Selby is on the road back to form after a disappointing end to the 2023/24 season]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/04/23/08/GettyImages-2149703099.jpg)
“It really has been a game of two halves for me,” smiles Selby, referencing his bizarre Masters record by stealing a phrase that players from his beloved Leicester City have probably used plenty of times over the years. “But it’s a great competition to be involved in – only the best 16 players in the world are there and I’m one of those. The atmosphere is always really good as well.
![[He crashed out of the World Championship in the first round to Joe O’Connor]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/04/22/18/cbf2358c21eb7c24d33a1eba546aa8adY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzEzODkyMzk5-2.75962863.jpg)
