Eurosport - Thu, 15 Jan 12:49:00 2009
World number four Mark Selby answers the questions set by you, the readers, last week - to ask Mark a question just leave it in the comment section at the bottom of the article.
D M asked: Who is the most entertaining player you have ever played against? And the most entertaining outside of the pro ranks?
Mark Selby: I think you have to go for Ronnie O'Sullivan: sometimes you are sitting there watching and you just don't know what is going to happen next. When he is in top form he really is fantastic to watch.
Outside the pro ranks it was always interesting watching Quentin Hann play - although he doesn't play any more.
Eminem1girl asked: What do you think about before you go out for a very important game? Do you focus on the play, or do you let your mind go and think of something else?
MS: I do think about the game, but not obsessively so. What I mainly try and do is remind myself to go out there and enjoy myself. I always feel I play my best when I'm relaxed and having fun.
H.O. asked: What makes it so important to play with the same (your own) cue and why is the possibility of losing or breaking it so threatening?
MS: It can be a massive thing because often times you have the same cue for years and years and you have learnt how to adapt to all different types of shots with it. You can replicate the cue in terms of all its dimensions, but no two pieces of wood are exactly the same.
However, I think in the main it is a psychological issue, and that for a certain type of player it wouldn't be such a big deal to change a cue. Someone like O'Sullivan for example, who has changed his cue this week, might be able to change with ease - it depends on the player.
Adam asked: What do you try and focus on when the other player is at the table and scoring heavily? What keeps your spirits up and helps you battle from behind like you have been known to do in the past?
MS: You just have to try and stay positive and always believe that you still have a chance to win the match. It is very easy to start thinking negatively when you are sitting in that chair, but if your opponent then misses, you won't be in the right state of mind to take advantage - so you need to stay focused and positive.
Martin: I'd like to ask you about your relationship with other snooker players. Who is your best snooker friend? And do you tend to go with other players to the pub for example?
MS: My two best friends in snooker would probably be Michael Holt and Mark Williams; however, they both live quite a long way from me so we don't get many chances to go to the pub together.
Have a question for Mark? Simply leave it in the comment section below and Mark will do his best to answer it next week.
Comment 1 - 12 of 12
COME ON MARK!
What i'd like to ask you is does the crowd ever crowd ever affect your game? There were obviously hordes of O'Sullivan fans in the Masters final.
Anyway i'm a big fan of yours and good luck with those 147-s.
Congratulations, Mark, on your exceptional performance at the Masters! A bit disappointed that you lost but still that really was one of the greatest and exciting finals I've ever seen!
Anyway, I still think that a player who is not so experienced and who playes just for a couple of seasons can benefit a lot more from a defeat than from a victory. Do you agree with me?
Hi, it's me again. Spain's Snooker is not well known (but I'm from A Coruna, in Galicia, and I love it). Should try to change it. My questions are: What's your favo.rite music band? And Rolling or Beatles? Good night and good luck!
Hello Selby, I'm a big fan. How did you start playing snooker? And more, please. What do you would have spent if not jugases andalusia snooker?
Thanks and good luck!
I noticed that just before you shoot your entire upper torso moves left a little bit and comes back then you shoot. It has not been so apparent on the masters but in earlier tournaments it was quite obvious. Is this something you are working on er have even noticed? Keep up the good work.
Guy C.
I wish you good luck!
Do you have a lucky charm?
I wish you good luck in Masters. Hope you will defend the title.
What was wrong with your shoes in the deciding frame of match with Mark Allen?
Why do you think you still don't have a maxmimum break? Do you try to make one in every possible situation?
If you had to stick to a single game, what would you choose? Pool or snooker? And, also, which is more challenging for you?
he beats allen 6-5
What do you do when there are no tournaments? Wish you good luck!
Hello,
I want to ask you, what's your opinion about 7 times world champion Stephen Hendry. Do you think he will come back, will he win a ranking or some tournament in the future, or it's all over for him?
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