Four-time snooker world champion Mark Selby is considering retirement after crashing out at the first round of the world championship 10-6 to qualifier Joe O’Connor on Monday.

Defeat capped a dismal season for Selby, who has slipped to fifth in the world rankings.

“I will take a long time to think about it over the summer,” said the 40-year-old.

“Away from snooker I’m happy, then when I come to snooker it’s the opposite. It was pathetic from start to finish.”

O’Connor, who is the only debutant in the field at The Crucible amassed a 7-2 lead during the first session on Sunday and held on for the biggest win of his career despite a rally from one of his snooker heroes.

“I’ll sit down with (my wife) Vicky and see what the options are,” added Selby.

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“Obviously it will be a big decision but if I do carry on playing I need help, probably on the mental side of it a little bit more just to go out there and enjoy the game.

“That’s all I want to do, go out there and enjoy it and for me, it’s always sort of life or death; I’ve always been that kind of character, putting too much pressure on myself and trying too hard.”

Notably, Mark Selby, who became the first player to hit a maximum break in the World Snooker Championship final last year, ended up on the losing side as he fell 18-15 against Luca Brecel.

It is worth mentioning here that the World Snooker Championship 2024 commenced on April 20 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield and will conclude on May 6.

Brecel, who won his first world championship last year, will be looking to defend his title while star player Ronnie O’Sullivan is searching for a record-shattering eighth title.

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