2024 Tour Championship: Mark Selby Flirts with the Thought of Retirement Post-Defeat

Following his 10-8 defeat to Gary Wilson in the 2024 Johnstone's Paint Tour Championship, Mark Selby didn't mince words about his disappointing performance. The former world champion expressed deep disappointment in his display, candidly admitting, "Start to finish I was pathetic and didn't deserve to win."

Selby's frustration was palpable as he reflected on his struggle to find form during the match. He acknowledged his efforts to battle through but conceded that his performance fell short of his expectations. "Obviously. I tried to battle, but it was terrible," Selby told SportsBoom.com.

The defeat seemed to prompt introspection from Selby, who contemplated the future of his career. "If I carry on playing like that then maybe it for me," he reflected. The possibility of retirement loomed large as Selby questioned whether he could continue in a sport where he no longer found joy. "It's a big competition and if you can't get yourself up for competitions like this, then obviously there's something wrong," he lamented.

Selby's musings on retirement didn't emerge solely from disappointment in his performance but also from a broader assessment of his career trajectory. Despite his dedication to the game, Selby acknowledged the need for results. "I'm putting the work in. It's not that I'm not putting the hours in and just not practising. I'm working hard and nothing's happening, so maybe it's time to do something else," he confessed.

Image credit: WST