Mark Selby Draws Inspiration from Ronnie O'Sullivan for Extended Career
Four-time world snooker champion Mark Selby has openly discussed his ambitions to add a fifth World Championship title to his illustrious career, while revealing plans to potentially compete into his 50s. The 42-year-old Leicester native, known as "The Jester from Leicester," credits fellow snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan as a key inspiration for his longevity in the sport.
Emulating Snooker's Veteran Stars
Selby believes there is every possibility he could follow in the footsteps of O'Sullivan, John Higgins, and Mark Williams by maintaining top-level performance well into his fifth decade. "Look at someone like Ronnie, who's 50, and still playing amazing snooker," Selby remarked. "People like that inspire you because, as long as you stay fit and healthy and still have the hunger, there's no reason why you cannot play top-level snooker at that age."
The current season has already seen Selby capture significant victories at the UK Championship and Champion of Champions events, positioning him among the favourites for the upcoming World Championship concluding on May 4. Despite his advancing years, Selby remains determined to give himself multiple opportunities to secure that elusive fifth world title.
Chasing Championship History
"I'd like to win it once more, if possible, to get to five," Selby explained. "Me and John Higgins are tied on four. It would be nice to get one more and be out there on my own on five. When you start talking about seven or eight... I'm not getting any younger."
Selby emphasized that enjoyment and competitive instinct remain crucial factors in his continued participation. "The biggest thing for me is enjoying it and, provided the competitive instinct is still there, I'll carry on. Even if I slipped out of the top 16, I'd still carry on playing, provided I still enjoyed putting the work in."
Mental Health Challenges and Recovery
The snooker star's passion for the sport has been tested in recent years as he confronted significant mental health struggles, including depression. Selby has been remarkably candid about these challenges, recently taking a brief hiatus from competition by sitting out the World Open in China before returning for the Tour Championship.
"I've had a few weeks off because I hadn't been feeling the best in myself," Selby revealed ahead of his 2026 Crucible campaign beginning on Wednesday. "I didn't really want to be on the other side of the world and not be able to get home as quickly as possible. And if I'm not in a great frame of mind, I'm not able to give it 100 per cent."
Selby described the benefits of his break: "It's been so hectic since January. There's hardly been a gap in the tournaments since the Masters, so it was nice not to look at a snooker table for a week or two."
Therapeutic Value of Speaking Out
Opening up about his mental health struggles has proven enormously beneficial for Selby personally, while potentially helping others facing similar challenges. "I don't know if I've helped anyone else but speaking out has definitely helped myself, for sure," he said. "I feel as though, if I get asked questions about it now, I can speak about it."
Selby shared advice from his medical support: "The doctor I've been working with said you've got to keep talking rather than hold it in. If it's helped other people by speaking out, that's amazing. That wasn't my intention and I don't want any plaudits. I just felt like I couldn't hold it in anymore and that I needed help."
As Selby prepares for his World Championship campaign, his story represents not just athletic ambition but personal resilience, demonstrating how professional athletes can balance competitive drive with necessary self-care while inspiring future generations in their sport.
