Heartwarming moment BBC reporter goes in for ‘quickest ever hug’ as Mark Selby exits World Snooker Championship
SNOOKER reporter Rob Walker was praised for consoling Mark Selby with a hug after the four-time world champion was knocked out in the first round in Sheffield.
Selby, 40, failed to reach the second round for the first time in six years on Monday as he was beaten 10-6 by debutant Joe O’Connor.
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After the match, the deflated star hinted he could retire from the sport.
This sparked a heartwarming moment from BBC presenter Walker, 49, at the end of the interview.
He said: “I hope that we see you again with a smile on your face next season. Thanks fella.”
Walker then came from out of shot to hug Selby as the pair momentarily embraced.
And the touching interaction was warmly received on social media as fans paid tribute to both.
In response to someone asking whether anyone had ever gone in for a “quicker hug”, one snooker fan said: “Class from Walker.”
Another added: “Rob knows Selby is going through a hard time and is worried he may retire.
“Selby needs a break now, not to retire, and he’ll be back stronger. All great champs have down moments. We’re with you Mark .”
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A third replied: “Embarrassing seeing people criticise Rob for this. He sees a lot of the players as friends and has known them for many years, it’s clear to see Mark is struggling and Rob is aware of this so is giving him support.”
While a fourth responded: “He needed it [a hug], right moment. Always good to be kind. @robwalkertv saw a friend that needed it .”
And a fifth said: “Rob is probably very close to many players on tour. Can be hard to not cross the friends and work border.
“Selby has gone through so much in recent times and finding the game tough at the moment. Phenomenal player hopefully returns to place he wants to be at.”
Selby admitted during the interview he will sit down with wife Vikki Layton to discuss his snooker future, just three years after he claimed his fourth world title.
He said: “I don’t know [if I’ll retire], I’ll definitely still review in the summer. Because that first session I felt like I stopped myself from playing when I had my chances.
“I tried today and that’s all I can do, but just not good enough. I just made it too easy for him in the first session. I can’t keep doing that, it’s no good for me. It makes me ill and gets me down mentally.
“I tried to just get on with it and play, but it’s easier to do that when you’re 7-2 behind because you just let your arm go.
“I’ll sit down with Vikki and see what the options are, I know it will be a big decision, but if I do carry on playing then I do need help on the mental side a little bit more. Just to go out there and enjoy the game, that’s all I want to do.
“For me it’s always life or death, I’ve always been that sort of character, putting too much pressure on myself and trying too hard.
“With what I’ve achieved I should be able to just go out there and play but I stop myself doing it every time.”
Selby’s comments come after he recently slammed his own performance at the Tour Championship following a first-round defeat to Gary Wilson.
He said: “I was pathetic from start to finish. Probably one of the worst games I’ve played as a professional.
“If I carry on playing like that I won’t be enjoying it and choosing a different career, for sure.
“I’ll give the World Championships a go but if I carry on like that I won’t carry on, 100 per cent.
“I’ve always said, when it gets to the point I’m not enjoying it, it doesn’t matter where I am in the rankings, I’ll be hanging my cue up. I can’t enjoy performances like that.”