'It was pathetic, disappointing' - Mark Selby reacts to shock World Snooker Championship first-round exit after Ronnie O'Sullivan reaction
Published 25/04/2025 at 10:36 GMT+1
Four-time world champion Mark Selby has crashed out of this year's World Snooker Championship at the first hurdle, losing 10-8 to good friend and practice partner Ben Woollaston. It is the second successive year that Selby has lost in the first round at the Crucible, despite going in as one of the favourites. He did not hold back after the match, describing his performance as "pathetic".
'Look at that reaction, he's not happy' - Selby throws ball up the table after conceding frame
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mark Selby cut a frustrated and annoyed figure during his first-round match against Ben Woollaston at the Crucible on Thursday, even showing flashes of anger as he was bundled out 10-8 to head home at the first time of asking.
For the second successive year, Selby could not muster a World Championship run - and the frustration was clear to see, the 'Jester from Leicester' even throwing a ball at one point in a freak moment that even had Ronnie O'Sullivan scratching his head and wondering just what was going on.
"He’s annoyed, he's frustrated, he's just angry. You never normally see that with Selby," O'Sullivan said at the time.
Selby was also seen storming off for the interval, and it was hard to tell whether it was his own performance that had got under his skin or the fact his opponent had him on the ropes.
Woollaston eventually won the final frame just after midnight, and Selby did not hold back after the match. He was scathing in analysing his own performance.
"I didn't deserve to win. Ben played some great stuff, his safety was unbelievable at times, but I still had my chances. It was pathetic really from me, to play like that is disappointing," said Selby.
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'The win of his life' - Woollaston wraps up victory over Selby
Video credit: TNT Sports
"It's the same old story, I try too hard and stop myself from playing. I love Ben to bits. I've known him for years. I grew up with him and have seen him progressing.
"To finish off the season like that has put a dampener on the season. My goal going forward is to win more Triple Crown events."
Selby came into the Crucible off the back of making the final of the 2025 Tour Championship, where he lost to John Higgins.
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But any momentum he carried into the Crucible quickly stalled, with Selby not looking at home around the table from word go.
His exit is not the only shock from the first few days of action, with defending champion Kyren Wilson and Neil Robertson also making early exits.
As for Woollaston, he plays Si Jiahui next, with a possible quarter-final match-up with O'Sullivan on the cards.
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Woollaston produces expert escape from a Selby snooker
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I got to the final of the Welsh Open and my biggest win was beating [Mark] Williams in Wales and it was packed, but this is bigger," he said afterwards about the win.
"I know I'm pretty good tactically, but Mark [Selby] is the best at that. I stayed pretty tough in the safety battles and that's what won me the match."
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