Mark Selby has again cast doubt on his snooker future after losing in the World Championship first round, saying “you may see me next year, you may not”.
Asked by Eurosport reporter Rachel Casey if he had reached a decision about his future, Selby said: “Not yet. I definitely will sit down with Vikki over the summer and decide what I want to do going forward.
“Most of this season I’ve not really enjoyed it at all and that’s not me. I’m enjoying the practice side but then when I come to the competitive side, I’m just stopping myself from playing and not taking the shackles off.
“Every time I get beat, I feel as though I’ve got to beat myself and the opponent – and the game is hard enough just trying to beat the opponent.
“If I decide to carry on, then I’ll probably need to seek help somewhere to try and overcome that hurdle. And if I don’t, then obviously I’ll choose to do something else.”
It is the first time since 2018 that Selby has lost in the first round at the Crucible.
Reminded that there were examples of players taking time away from the sport and returning, Selby continued: “I’ve had a lot going on off the table as well – I sort of dismiss that and obviously you shouldn’t.
“But I’ll have a few weeks to reflect now, play a little bit of golf very badly, enjoy the summer if we have one… I’ll go away, sit down with Vikki, spend some family time.
“You may see me next year, you may not.”