BELFAST — Four-time world champion Mark Selby delivered a brutally honest and damning assessment of his own game, describing his performance as "pathetic" and "just not good enough" after crashing out of the Northern Ireland Open in the second round with a 4-2 defeat to Jack Lisowski.
A Frustrating Exit in Belfast
The 'Jester from Leicester' was far from his commanding self at the Waterfront Hall, succumbing to a Lisowski performance brimming with the flamboyant, attacking snooker for which he is known. For Selby, however, the loss was less about his opponent's prowess and more about his own profound struggles at the baize. The defeat continues a difficult start to the 2024/25 season for the former world number one, who has yet to find the form that has brought him so much success over his storied career.
Speaking to BBC Sport in the immediate aftermath, Selby did not hold back. "It was pathetic, really. From start to finish, I was poor. I scored alright in a couple of frames, but my safety was pathetic and my long potting was non-existent. It's just not good enough. I'm not feeling comfortable at the table at all at the moment," he confessed. This level of self-criticism, while not entirely uncommon from the perfectionist Selby, highlighted a player deeply frustrated with his current standard.
The Match Breakdown: Lisowski's Flair Overcomes Selby's Grit
The match itself was a tale of two contrasting styles. Lisowski, ranked 17th in the world and fighting to regain a place among the elite, played with a freedom and attacking intent that Selby struggled to contain. The key moments of the match included:
- Frame 1: Lisowski seized the early initiative with a break of 54, setting the tone for the match.
- Frame 3: A critical frame where Selby had opportunities but failed to capitalize, allowing Lisowski to steal it and take a 2-1 lead.
- Frame 5: With the score poised at 2-2, Lisowski compiled a superb century break of 106 to regain the lead, applying significant pressure.
- Frame 6: Selby's resistance finally crumbled, with Lisowski sealing the victory and a place in the third round.
While Selby managed to level the match at 2-2 with a top run of 83, he was never able to establish any consistent dominance. His usually impregnable safety game was uncharacteristically loose, presenting Lisowski with a series of chances that the left-hander was all too happy to accept.
Selby's Candid Confession: "Not Feeling Comfortable at the Table"
The most telling part of Selby's post-match interview was his admission of a fundamental lack of confidence. For a player whose mental strength and tactical nous are considered among the greatest the sport has ever seen, this is a significant issue. "I'm just not feeling comfortable at the table at the moment," he reiterated, a simple statement that speaks volumes about his current mindset.
This discomfort is a stark contrast to the player who, just over a year ago, was competing in his seventh World Championship final at the Crucible. Since then, results have been inconsistent, and his ranking has slipped. The technical and mechanical aspects of his game are one thing, but Selby's comments point to a deeper, psychological battle. "When you're not confident, you're second-guessing everything," he explained, detailing the vicious cycle of poor form.
A Deeper Look at the Slump
Selby's struggles are not happening in a vacuum. The 41-year-old has been open about his ongoing battles with mental health, which have previously led him to consider retirement. The pressures of the tour, combined with his own incredibly high standards, create a perfect storm for frustration. He has spoken in the past about how winning sometimes doesn't bring him joy, and conversely, losses like this one cut particularly deep. The current slump appears to be a combination of:
- A technical dip in key areas, notably long potting and safety.
- A visible lack of confidence and comfort during match play.
- The psychological weight of past successes, creating immense internal pressure to perform.
Lisowski's Perspective and the Road Ahead
For Jack Lisowski, the victory represents a valuable scalp and a step in the right direction after his own period of underperformance. "It's always tough playing Mark because he's such a great competitor. I knew I had to play well and take my chances, and I managed to do that. I felt good out there and I'm pleased with how I held myself together," Lisowski told reporters. His reward is a third-round clash with China's Si Jiahui.
For Selby, the immediate future is less clear. With the UK Championship on the horizon, one of the sport's triple crown events, he has limited time to rectify the issues plaguing his game. The question now is whether this public airing of frustration acts as a catalyst for change or further deepens the crisis of confidence. His work with coach Gary Baldry will be crucial in rebuilding both his technique and his self-belief.
A Champion at a Crossroads
In conclusion, Mark Selby's early exit from the Northern Ireland Open is more than just a single bad result in a long season. It is a symptom of a broader struggle for one of snooker's modern greats. His candid, harsh self-assessment reveals a player at a crossroads, grappling with the very fundamentals of his game and his relationship with the sport. The snooker world is well aware of Selby's resilience and fighting spirit.
He has overcome slumps and personal challenges before to return to the summit of the sport. However, his admission of feeling uncomfortable and his description of his play as "pathetic" mark a particularly low ebb. The path back will require more than just practice; it will require a mental reset. As the tour moves on, all eyes will be on how, or if, the great Mark Selby can rediscover the comfort and confidence that made him a champion.
