End of an Era: An Open Letter from Mark Selby to Ronnie O’Sullivan, Fans, and the Snooker Community
Dear Ronnie, dear fans, and everyone who has stood behind our sport,
It feels strange to be writing this. I’ve always been more comfortable with a cue in my hands than a pen, more at ease battling it out frame by frame than finding the right words. But there comes a point where even the most stubborn of competitors must pause and reflect. And as I look back on my journey, and on the journeys of those who shared the stage with me, I realize we’ve reached the closing pages of something extraordinary.
Ronnie, I’ll start with you. We’ve been rivals, sparring partners, and at times polar opposites in style. You played with fire, instinct, and freedom — I played with patience, calculation, and discipline. Many saw us as clashing personalities, but I’ve always respected what you brought to the game. Your genius, your unpredictability, your ability to turn a table into theatre — all of it inspired me to raise my own standards. Without you, I might never have achieved what I did. Our matches weren’t just games; they were mental duels that pushed me to limits I didn’t know I had. For that, I thank you.
To the fans, you’ve been the heartbeat of my career. From the early days when I was just a kid from Leicester chasing a dream, to the nights when I walked out at the Crucible under the spotlight, you’ve been there. Some of you loved my grinding style, some of you didn’t, but all of you cared. That’s what makes snooker special — it stirs emotion, it divides opinion, but it always brings people together around the table. Every cheer, every groan, every handshake at the end of a long match — it meant the world to me.
And to the wider snooker community — referees, officials, coaches, commentators, and every player I’ve faced — thank you. You shaped me, tested me, and gave me the platform to live out my passion. Snooker isn’t just a sport; it’s a family, one that stretches across continents, cultures, and generations.
I’ve been proud to be part of an era defined by greatness. The Class of ’92 — Ronnie, John Higgins, Mark Williams — you were the benchmarks. I came a little later, often cast as the underdog trying to break through your dominance. To eventually share in the glory — four world titles, the Masters, the UKs — felt like a dream come true. But more than the trophies, what I cherish is the respect we built for one another. Rivalries can be fierce, but they can also be deeply respectful. That balance is what made our era so compelling.
To the younger generation now stepping up: take this sport forward with pride. The likes of Kyren Wilson, Luca Brecel, Zhao Xintong, and others — you are the future. Learn from the past, but don’t be afraid to create your own path. Snooker evolves, and so it should. I look forward to watching you write the next chapter.
This isn’t me saying goodbye to snooker altogether. I’ll still be around — maybe competing, maybe mentoring, maybe just sitting in the commentary box from time to time. But I do sense that the chapter of constant battles on the biggest stages is drawing to a close. And I’m okay with that. I’ve given everything I had, and the game has given me more than I ever imagined.
So to Ronnie, to my fellow players, and to the fans who’ve lived every ball with us: thank you. We’ve been part of something unforgettable, something that will live on long after we’ve put our cues away. If this is the end of an era, let’s celebrate it, not mourn it. The game will go on — and so will the memories.
With respect and gratitude,
Mark Selby
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