Mark Selby has admirably opened up on his struggles away from snooker – with spouse Vikki struggling with most cancers and an in depth buddy dying from the illness.
The household have been rocked by the information that Vikki had breast most cancers shortly after Selby’s English Open triumph in December 2022. That triggered a relapse of his psychological well being points, having beforehand spoke about battling melancholy.
As per the Metro, Vikki is now recovering nicely and has had optimistic take a look at outcomes. But tragically, most cancers has not too long ago claimed the lifetime of one in every of their closest household buddies.
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Selby stated: “I’ve had a lot going on off the table, a few lapses from what I mentioned before with my mental health. We had some bad news just over a week ago.
“One of my finest mates, Dave, his spouse sadly handed away with most cancers at 44. She’s received a little bit woman who’s 12. She’s finest mate to Vikki, so it’s been fairly robust the final two weeks.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The 40-year-old defined how he’d wished to tug out of final month’s Grand Prix however was satisfied by his finest buddy to proceed as that is what his spouse would’ve wished.
“With Vikki’s treatments and scans coming up you’re obviously always a bit nervous,” he added. Selby labelled Vikki his “rock” final yr, attributing her assist with saving his snooker profession.
(Image: Instagram/markselby_7)
He managed to achieve the World Championship last final yr, narrowly dropping out on a fifth Crucible crown to Luca Brecel regardless of making a 147 break. Vikki, who started checking her personal physique after her buddy’s analysis, was present process radiotherapy on the time.
“‘She’s been stronger than me throughout it, for sure,” Selby admitted. “When it was first announced I was completely blown apart. Obviously with how my mental health was before anyway, that multiplied it.
“She’s been the one supporting me! It ought to be the opposite approach spherical, however folks say that, it at all times appears to be the individual going by means of it that’s the strongest.”