World Snooker Championship – Mark Selby: Opening up about suicidal thoughts and getting help was ‘biggest achievement’

Mark Selby has told Eurosport that speaking about having suicidal thoughts and getting help for his depression was his “biggest achievement” – more than anything else in his illustrious career.

The 39-year-old, who is playing in the final of the World Championship against Luca Brecel, admitted that his victory at the English Open “meant everything” but that speaking out about his mental health was bigger than anything he has achieved in snooker.

“Yeah, it meant everything,” Selby reflected as he looked back on his very emotional triumph at the Brentwood Centre. “Obviously because I had gone 18, 19 months of not winning and I spoke out about my mental health.

“To overcome that barrier, and obviously have that mental strength of winning again, I wasn’t sure if that was ever going to happen. So to tick that box and realise I can still do it is obviously a great feeling.

“It was the biggest thing I ever did, speaking about it. Obviously, it took me so long to bring it up and sort of come out with it, but looking back now I know what I’ve done, it has made it easier to deal with and to speak about.

“I wish I had done it a lot sooner. That feels as though it is the biggest achievement of anything I have done in snooker.

“From where I was, obviously Vicky knew the situation I was in. I was really low and not knowing what was going to happen, suicidal thoughts and everything like this.

“So to turn that around and try to be in a better place and obviously speak out and get the help I needed, I am thankful for.

“It would definitely be the biggest win in my career, for sure. Better than winning it for the first time against (Ronnie) O’Sullivan – it would be a bigger achievement. So if I could do that then hopefully I could just put that behind me and move forward.”

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