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Mark Selby reveals when he will walk away from snooker after Class of '92 discuss retirement plans - 'I'd be in that category' By Desmond Kane React to this story Mark Selby does not expect snooker's Class of '92 to quit the sport any time soon, but the four-time world champion can understand the reasons why the golden trio might consider hanging up their cues after 34 years at the top of the professional game. Mark Williams is adamant he will continue to focus on his playing career after Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins both suggested they could be ready to retire in the next few years. Selby, 43, is chasing a return to the world No. 1 spot after a four-year absence and has made a bright start to the season by winning the China Open and reaching the final of the British Open in Cheltenham. In decades gone by - certainly in the case of 1980s great Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry, the dominant force of the 1990s - reaching the age of 40 was considered well past the peak of a snooker player, but 12 of the world's top 16 are over the age of 35. Selby insists enjoyment is the key to his ongoing success in the sport. "I think everyone's character is different," said Selby after completing a 4-3 win over Zhang Anda to set up a last-16 meeting with Kyren Wilson at the English Open at 13:00 on Thursday, live with TNT Sports on HBO Max. "I mean, you look at Mark [Williams] just as a person, he's just such a laid-back character. Even if he's struggling, he wouldn't be bothered as long as he's probably staying on the tour and just playing. He'd be happy to do that. "Then you've got people like Ronnie and John who don't enjoy playing, or under-performing, should I say. "I think I'd probably be in that category once I get to the point where I'm not enjoying it anymore, which I think is probably what Ronnie and John Higgins means. "If I'm not enjoying it, then obviously you're not going to be putting the hours in on the practice table, which you need to do to give yourself a chance to compete in these tournaments. "So that would probably be me, the same position as them. John, he's already said to me before that he doesn't put nowhere near as many hours in as he used to when he was at his peak. And Ronnie's probably the same, you know. "Hopefully they carry on for quite a few years still, because they're the greats of the game, and it's great to still have them involved." Selby lost 5-3 to O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open, but said it is a privilege to continue competing against them in major competitions. "Oh, it'll be great for us when they've gone, because we've got more of a chance to win a few more comps," he joked. "But no, you know what? It's been a privilege to share the table with both of them and Mark as well, with all three of them. "You know, I've managed to play all three of them in big finals. So, you know, and they've been three of the best players to ever play the game." - English Open 2026: Scores, results, schedule, prize money - O'Sullivan to miss International Championship after opting out of Leicester qualifier - How Bai Yulu matched Selby with sparkling double in major women's final Selby has been open about his struggles with depression, but has been advised by his doctor to continue taking medication to deal with his mental health issues. "At the moment, I'm in a lot better place, you know, I'm still on medication," he told World Snooker Tour. "I still speak to the doctor who was helping me turn it all around and think in a different way. "And he said to me: 'Listen, if you're on the meds and you feel like it's helping, then just use it as though you're taking a vitamin every day, because if you come off them, you could literally go back the other way again.'" Latest provisional world rankings - 1. Zhao Xintong (China) 1,265,550 - 2. Judd Trump (England) 1,105,350 - 3. Neil Robertson (Australia) 1,092, 200 - 4. Wu Yize (China) 1,073,900 - 5. Mark Selby (England) 1,048,150 Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this. Watch and stream the 2026/27 snooker season, including the World Championship and Home Nations events, live with TNT Sports on HBO Max. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is HBO Max, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes live sport and entertainment in one destination. Related Topics