Mark Selby: world number one snooker star admits he needs help with his mental health

World number one Mark Selby has admitted he ‘needs help’ and that a ‘huge weight’ has been lifted off his shoulders after coming out to the public and admitting he has been struggling with his mental health.

The admission from Selby came after his 6-1 quarter final defeat to Barry Hawkins in the Masters.

After the match, the 38-year-old apologised on social media, citing he has had a “relapse” with his mental health.

On Twitter, Leicester-born Selby said: “Just want to apologise to all my friends and family for letting them down. Mentally not in a good place at the moment, I had a relapse and trying to bottle it up and put on a brave face on is not the way. I promise I will get help and become a better person.

“I can honestly say all the matches I have won as a professional, the biggest match I have overcome was yesterday, speaking out and finally admitting I need help. Bottling it up for years is not the way forward. Finally feel a huge weight off my shoulders.

“Feel I don’t have to hide behind the mask anymore. For those that have gone through it or are going through it can relate to this.”

Selby is a three-time Masters champion, a two-time UK champion and a four-time world champion.

The Masters culminated on Sunday, January 16 with Australian Neil Robertson defeating Hawkins 10-4.

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