Selby answers questions

Petiaandsara asks: During the final of the World Championship in 2007 when you met John Higgins, was there a moment in the match when you felt confident you would win - and also what was your first reflection after you lost?

Mark Selby: I was gutted after I lost that match and the disappointment stayed with me for a few days. However, I also feel the experience will serve me well for future World Championships and I'll know how to cope if I get into that situation again.

There was one point during the match when I felt that I was going to win. I came back from 12-4 down to 12-10 before they took us off (due to the length of the frames) and I feel that if we were allowed to stay on and complete the session, I could have brought it back to 12-12 because John was obviously struggling mentally at that point - and maybe then I could have gone on and won the match.

Ajsmith356 asks: I have a little problem with follow-throughs. I go to hit the black ball using top spin but the white ball never travels far enough around - what can I do to help myself get better position on the next red?

MS: You probably think you are playing top spin, but are actually hitting the cue ball just a little bit below where you should be. Try aiming a little higher on the cue ball and also remember to push all the way through because if you don't it will end up being a stun shot.

DerMoment asks: When a tournament takes place and you are not playing a match or practising, what do you do in your spare time?

MS: You just try to relax and take your mind off things. Sometimes you might go and watch one of the other matches with some of the other players if there is a particularly good game going on, or else you might just go back to your room and chill out or walk around the centre.

Waltbrian2000 asks: Are happy with the draw of Ricky Walden in the World Championship?

MS: Obviously it is a very tough draw but it was always going to be tough whoever I ended up playing. I'm really looking forward to it though: Ricky is a good friend of mine as we are a similar age and grew up playing the game together.

Tatyana asks: Are you friends with Neil Robertson?

MS: I am good friends with Neil Robertson - when he first came over from Australia he used to live in Leicester so I got really friendly with him then. We used to practise together at the same club so I got to know him well. He lives in Cambridge now so I don't get to see as much of him as I used to, but we still always have a chat at the tournaments. I also think he is a great player and he is definitely going to be world champion one day.

Vladimir asks: If jump shots were allowed in snooker, how useful it would be?

MS: Well they wouldn't be any use to me because I can't play them on a nine-ball table, so I wouldn't have much hope executing them on a snooker table!

Nina asks: Have you got a hobby? What are you usually up to when you're not playing or practising?

MS: I listen to lots of music. I've also recently tried to play a little bit of golf but haven't had much practice.

Maxim asked: What kind of car have you got? Do you actually like driving?

MS: I do like driving: I've not long passed my test so maybe it is just a novelty at the moment. In a few years' time I might be sick of it and will be complaining about the traffic but at the moment I like it. I drive a Mercedes.