Mark Selby

Why no ranking in Germany?

Wed Aug 12 09:50AM

I've had a long summer break and spent plenty of time relaxing. I didn't even pick up my cue until this week when I finally started practising again and will I look to sharpern up my game this weekend at the Paul Hunter Classic in Germany.

My summer's not been too bad but it could have been better. I had booked a week away with my girlfriend to the Dominican Republic but we have to delay it by a week because she got swine flu!

What's more, when we finally got there we had to leave after four days because she got gastroenteritis. Not ideal but the main thing is she is okay now.

I feel like I'm getting back into the swing of things on the practice table but I still need some match practice before going to China for the Shanghai Masters.

The Paul Hunter Classic in the German town of Furth is not a ranking event but it's popular with a lot of the top professionals mainly because it is so well run.

The crowds are always fantastic. It seems we are getting 2,000-2,500 people every year, and the fact that the field is always of such a high quality gives you a major confidence booster before the season starts - if you can do well in the tournament.

It is one of the best examples of the growing appetite for snooker in mainland Europe. The crowds are getting bigger all the time and now all we really need is to get a ranking tournament over there.

I don't really know why there isn't one in Germany already. Maybe it's because there aren't the sponsors willing to support the event. Or maybe World Snooker is looking for too much money. I really don't know, but certainly it seems like the support is there.

The introduction of the Pro Challenge Series this season is certainly a step in the right direction for the sport. Even though there are no ranking points at stake, extra events are always welcome because players have such limited chances to play.

I missed the first event but I have signed up for the third and fourth tournaments, and I might play in more of them as I want to keep my match sharpness up throughout the season.

For this season it is understandabe why they are keeping the new series local. I think it will be a trial run of sorts, and if it takes off then maybe they can spread it a bit further and take it to different countries.

Going back to the Paul Hunter Classic, my record in the tournament is not too bad, I've been pretty consistent there.

I was beaten in the final by Shaun Murphy last season and then I think reached the last 16 the year before. The tournament starts with a group stage and the top professionals are seeded so it gives you a bit of time to play yourself into things.

I'm definitely going over there trying to win it. I'm not just there for fun. But the main thing is the match practice and as I haven't had much this summer, I won't be too disheartened if I don't play to my very best.

+++

There was a report in The Sun newspaper that said Jimmy White is set to appear on the next series of 'I'm a Celebrity Get My Out of Here.'

I think appearing on one of those celebrity shows might be a bit of a laugh. I'd consider doing something like Celebrity Big Brother or Celebrity Fame Academy but you wouldn't get me in the jungle. I wouldn't fancy eating bugs or anything like that.

Having said that, it would be an excellent bit of publicity for snooker if Jimmy was on it, and I think he would offer up great entertainment too.

It was fantastic to see him win the Six Reds Grand Prix in Thailand this summer (I couldn't play in it as I was best man at my best mate's wedding). To be fair to Jimmy, he played some really good snooker last year, and this is just another sign he is getting he game back in shape.

It also looks like Ken Doherty has rediscoverd his form by qualifying for the Shanghai Masters and that didn't surprise me at all. He is such a quality player that it was just a matter of time before he started winning again. It looks like he has put the work in over the summer months.

Alan McManus is another who impressed recently at the Pro Challenge Series event. Again, these quality players never lose their ability. It is just a matter of confidence and form.

Maybe this will be the season that a couple of old faces really start to make a comeback.  

Once again we are offering you the chance to ask Mark questions throughout the season? If there is anything you would like to know about Mark or snooker in general? Then just post a question below and he will answer a selection of your queries each week.   

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