Mark Selby Reveals Why He Now Relates to Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Mindset

Mark Selby is enjoying a resurgence that seemed unlikely not long ago. 

Almost two years back, the four-time world champion was struggling with his game and his wellbeing. At the 2024 Tour Championship, he even admitted he was considering retirement.

But the Selby who arrived in York for the 2025 UK Championship feels like a completely different player. 

Last season he collected three titles, and he’s already added another this term, the prestigious Champion of Champions in his hometown of Leicester.

His return to form continued in emphatic style in the last 32, easing past Lei Peifan with a commanding 6–2 victory.

Feeling Close to His Peak Again

After the match, Selby spoke openly about this renaissance, revealing he now believes he’s operating around his highest level again.

“I feel like I’m somewhere close,” Selby said. 

A nine-time Triple Crown winner, four world titles, three Masters, and two UK Championships, Selby hasn’t always looked like that player in recent seasons. In fact, he hasn’t reached a Triple Crown semi-final since the 2023 World Championship, something he’s fully aware of.

“It would still be nice to have a good run in these big ones. It’s been a few years since I’ve had a good run in these Triple Crown events.”

A tenth major is the target, and he says he’d happily trade in his recent Champion of Champions triumph for glory this week in York.

“I’d swap winning the Champion of Champions for winning this for sure.”

Thriving Under Pressure Again

One of the clearest signs of Selby’s renewed confidence is how he now embraces the pressure moments, an area he admits had deserted him for a while.

“I’m fancying the big shots when I’m under it [pressure] which is key. It’s been a little while since I’ve been in this position. I’m playing well so let’s see what happens.”

A Surprise Opponent After O’Sullivan’s Exit

Initially, Selby expected a blockbuster last-16 clash with Ronnie O’Sullivan, widely regarded as the greatest of all time. 

But a stunning upset from China’s Zhou Yuelong knocked out the eight-time UK champion, setting up a different challenge for Selby.

Interestingly, Selby revealed that O’Sullivan has played an unlikely role in shaping his new mindset.

Inspired by the Rocket’s Philosophy

O’Sullivan has often attracted criticism for comments suggesting he values playing well over winning. Selby, however, says he now understands exactly what the Rocket means.

“I listen to Ronnie [O’Sullivan] sometimes and he said, 'I’d rather feel good and lose than feel rubbish and win’ and you look at that and think nobody would want to do that, but I can relate to it.”

“That’s exactly how I feel, sometimes I'd rather go out there and think, ‘well if I’m feeling good and I lose, then I know at some points it’s going to come’, but if you’re thinking the other way you don’t know when it’s going to turn around.”

Missing the Ronnie Atmosphere

Despite benefiting from O’Sullivan’s perspective, Selby admitted he was disappointed not to face him in York, because no one brings an atmosphere like Ronnie.

“It would have been great to play Ronnie [O’Sullivan] here in York, but whoever won it was always going to be a tough game.”

“It’s always great when Ronnie’s in a tournament. I think it sort of has that extra vibe.”

Selby explained that even sharing the same session as O’Sullivan creates a buzz unmatched by any other player on the tour.

“Even playing there, I know I wasn’t playing him but playing the same session as him with the crowd, you just get that atmosphere which you don’t really get with any other player.”

“No disrespect to any other player, even myself. We’re all top players but you don’t get that atmosphere with anyone else.”

“If I would’ve been playing there and [John] Higgins or [Mark] Williams or Judd [Trump] or Zhao [Xintong], even them guys, as good as they are you still don’t get that atmosphere,” he concluded.