Exclusive: Mark Selby Reveals Key Changes That Revitalised His Career After Retirement Thoughts

Mark Selby’s remarkable 2025 season showed no signs of slowing down as he delivered another outstanding performance at the Tour Championship in Manchester. 

The four-time world champion overcame Chinese prodigy Si Jiahui 10-6, adding yet another title to his impressive campaign.

The match marked a repeat of their 2025 Players Championship first-round clash, where Selby once again got the better of the 22-year-old.

While Selby has long been revered for his tactical prowess and defensive mastery, his attacking game was in full flow in Manchester. He racked up seven breaks over 50, including two century runs of 128 and a stunning 136 to seal the victory.

Dominance Over Si Continues

The ‘Jester from Leicester’ now boasts a flawless head-to-head record against Si, having won all six of their encounters. 

However, when asked if he believed this record might play on his opponent’s mind before a single ball was struck, Selby dismissed the idea.

"No, not at all. If you played the same player every time, every game would still be different. This game never fails to amaze me, you never know what the balls are going to do. You go out there feeling good and sometimes you don’t even get a chance."

"I don’t really judge it and think I’m going to be favourite just because I’ve won the last five times. It’s irrelevant."

Retirement Turnaround

It was around this time last year that Selby’s future in snooker was in doubt. 

Following what he described as a ‘pathetic’ first-round exit at the World Championship, he openly questioned his motivation to continue playing and even flirted with the idea of retirement.

Fast forward to the present, and the five-time world champion has rediscovered his hunger for the game, capturing three major titles this season, including the British Open and Welsh Open. Without a doubt, he has been one of the standout players of the season.

We asked Selby what had changed in his approach and what had sparked this turnaround in form.

"I'm at ease with myself at the moment. I'm in a better place, so obviously if I'm happier in myself then I'm gonna be happy playing,” he told SportsBoom.com. 

"Last year, obviously, it was the total opposite. It wasn't the fact that I was playing poor snooker, it was how I was feeling. That’s why I thought it was pointless carrying on because I had no fight in me."

"This year’s different. Hopefully, it can continue like this because I’m enjoying the game again, which is pleasing."

Though Selby couldn't pinpoint one specific factor behind his resurgence, he did highlight that staying physically active has positively impacted his mental health and overall game.

Managing Mental Health

Selby has never shied away from discussing his battles with mental health. In a recent post-match discussion with Ronnie O’Sullivan at the 2025 Masters on BBC, he spoke candidly about his struggles, a conversation that resonated deeply with many fans.

He credits working closely with a doctor and following professional advice as crucial steps in managing his mental well-being, rather than isolating himself as he had done in the past.

"I’m just learning to manage it a bit better, you know. When I'm getting moments where I'm feeling low, getting out and going for a run. Sometimes I just go for a walk." 

"Where before I was just locking myself away, and probably doing what I thought was the right thing. But I was doing the total opposite of what you should do, like speaking to the doctor I was working with."

"He said it would never go away, but you sort of learn to live with it better, and that’s what I seem to be doing at the moment."

The Depth of Snooker’s Competitive Field

As the conversation shifted towards the current state of professional snooker, Selby acknowledged how competitive the circuit has become. This season alone, 13 different players have lifted ranking titles, demonstrating the sport’s incredible depth.

While he believes the field has been strong for several years, he noted that winners emerging from outside the top 16 have been a rare but exciting development, specifically praising Lei Peifan for his Scottish Open triumph.

"It’s been like this for the past couple of years. It just shows how tough the standard of snooker is."

"You’ve got people winning tournaments outside of the top 16, just look at Lei Peifan who went on to win the Scottish Open."

"It’s a lot more open. I know there’s a lot of players who have been there and done it, so they’ve got history going into the backend of tournaments. Whereas somebody who’s not won one is in unknown territory. But I think it’s been open for a little while, not just this season."

The Challenge of the World Championship

Looking ahead to next month’s World Championship, Selby emphasised just how tough the opening round can be—especially for the seeded players. He pointed out that experienced names like Ali Carter, who now finds himself in the qualifiers, could pose a serious threat to any top player.

Selby also highlighted the unique pressure on seeded players in the first round due to the way ranking points are distributed.

"You’ve got someone like Ali Carter, who you could draw in the first round. If you draw him in the first round, he’s capable of beating anyone. It’s going to be so tough."

"But I think for the seeds, the first round is always tough because the qualifiers have already got their points, and if we don’t win our match, we get the money, which is great, but it doesn’t go on the ranking. So I think the seeds are always under a little bit of pressure in the first round."

Selby’s resurgence has been one of the stories of the 2025 snooker season. With his confidence restored and his love for the game reignited, he heads into the World Championship as a serious contender once again.