Mark Selby slammed the 'horrific' Crucible table conditions after crashing out of the World Snooker Championship 2026 with a 13-11 defeat to China's Wu Yize.
What happened?
The four-time champion drew on his years of experience to push the 22-year-old rising star all the way but ultimately cut a frustrated figure as Wu held his nerve to book his place in the last eight.
Mark Selby branded his own performance "pathetic" and added that the conditions were the worst he's experienced at the World Championship.
Why it matters for Mark Selby
The Englishman felt like the table was "absolutely horrific" in his first game against Jak Jones, making it tough for him to play his best snooker.
A World Snooker Tour spokesperson said that there are always challenges in providing the best possible conditions for players, with many factors affecting this.
What comes next?
Mark Selby believes Wu Yize has a shot at lifting the Crucible crown, saying he's "great for our game" and "great to watch" with his attacking style.
The 22-year-old Chinese player will face either Judd Trump or Hossein Vafaei next, and Mark Selby thinks he could be a world champion in the making.
Mark Selby compiled a match-best 95 to keep himself in with a chance at 12-10, but Wu Yize finally got over the line with a chiselled-out 53.
The World Snooker Championship 2026 continues, with the last eight players competing for the title.
Mark Selby's exit means he won't be able to add to his four world titles this year, but he's still optimistic about the future of the sport.
The Englishman has been a dominant force in snooker for many years, and his experience and skill will be missed in the latter stages of the tournament.