‘I am on the right track’ – Mark Selby more positive as he battles mental health issues away from table

Mark Selby told Europsort after his win over Jamie Jones in the first round of the World Championship that he is mentally on the right track.

Selby chose to withdraw from the Turkish Masters and the Gibraltar Open, meaning his most recent appearance was a first-round exit at the Welsh Open.

Selby said he had practiced shortly before the Crucible but revealed in his post-match interview with Eurosport that he arrived in a positive frame of mind and praised the doctor he has been working with.

“He told me to keep playing and working with the help, which is what I chose to do. But I felt like it was too much, too much pressure too, and I wasn’t in the right frame of mind.” So we tried it, but it didn’t work, so we decided to take a break.

“The last six weeks I have done a lot more sessions with him and he has made me improve a little bit. I’m in the correct way.

“I want to thank him, Dr. Lanka in London. Also Mark Quirk, who is the guy who put me in touch with him.”

Selby fought hard to get over the line against Jones and thanked those who supported him.

“I got a standing ovation, so it’s really brilliant,” Selby said. “I have had a lot of support on social networks, people say that I have done well for speaking out.

“I didn’t want to go out and have everyone hug me and say ‘well done, you’ve helped so many people,’ but sometimes it’s okay to not be okay.

“Snooker is such a difficult game when you’re in the right frame of mind, it’s doubly difficult when you’re not in the right frame of mind.

“Just coming here for the tournament made me think more positively and I said I was going to try.

“Today’s result was irrelevant to me. As I went out and enjoyed it, I smiled a little, which I did, so whatever happens, happens.

“The main thing right now is to improve myself.”

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