Mark Selby reveals crunch talks with wife Vikki salvaged snooker career after four-time world champ threatened to quit

MARK SELBY says crunch talks with his wife reignited his career and stopped him from embracing retirement.

After the Leicester Jester lost to Joe O’Connor in the first round of the Crucible World Championship, he said he would consider his future in the sport.

A conversation in the summer break with his family proved to be the spark that he needed ahead of the new campaign.

And he says he will now be more selective in his approach to tournament appearances.

The four-time world champion, 41, said: “To be fair, I haven’t played too much.

“I played a bit of golf, spent quite a bit of time with Vikki and daughter Sofia, had a couple of holidays. So basically just switched off completely.

“I had a sit down with Vikki and she said look, ‘I think you should carry on playing because you probably have got a bit more to give to the game.’

“She added, ‘Maybe pick and choose a bit, don’t play in everything, don’t put too much pressure on yourself.’

“I’m going to give that a go and see what happens.”

Selby will open up a 26th season as a pro on Wednesday – around 7am UK time – against either world finalist Jak Jones or China’s Jin Cao in round two of the Shanghai Masters.

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Selby will open up a 26th season as a pro on Wednesday – around 7am UK time – against either world finalist Jak Jones or China’s Jin Cao in round two of the Shanghai Masters.

The world No.6 said: “I have always put too much pressure on myself in any tournament I’ve played in.

“Last season, I probably did that more than ever.

“I need to try and relax a little bit more. Just enjoy it. What I have achieved in my career so far, if I never win another tournament, it has been amazing.

“I need to try to relax, enjoy it more and hopefully play some better snooker.

“When you win all the big tournaments, you feel on top of the world and you want to experience those feelings again.

“That is what keeps you going and drives you to work hard, puts you under that much pressure.

“But all of a sudden, for the next 5-6 years I don’t want to feel like I am a journeyman, win matches here or there. You want to try to compete.

“I put too much pressure on myself last season.

“This year I have a different mindset and will try to enjoy it and see what happens. I feel fresh coming here to China.

“I mean I have not practised as much as I would have done leading into other seasons previously.

“Maybe before snooker took over my life, as soon as I lost a tournament I would be practising for five hours a day every day. I need to find a better balance.”