According to Daily Express - Sport, Ronnie O'Sullivan described Selby as 'Midnight Selby' because his matches often run past midnight, making him a dreaded opponent for those scheduled after him. Selby told the same outlet that being talked about means he is doing something right, and he respects O'Sullivan as O'Sullivan respects him.
Selby, who won the UK Championship in December 2024, has been knocked out in the opening round of the World Championship for the past two years. He faces Jak Jones in the first round of the 2025 tournament. Selby acknowledged the tough competition, saying that if he plays well he has a chance to advance.
I call him 'Midnight Selby' because his games go past midnight every night. He's a nightmare! You don't want to be following Mark because you're going into the next day.
Selby also expressed admiration for O'Sullivan's innate talent, wishing he had such natural ability. He said he works hard and gives his all in every match, leaving nothing on the table.
When people are talking about you, I always think that you're doing something right. If it wasn't mentioned, anything, then you're sort of not even in the conversations, shall I say. We've had some great battles over the years. I respect him, he respects me.
I'd love to have his talent and ability, right and left-handed, but I'm not one of them. I have to work hard and nothing comes easy, so I give it my all every time I go out there and leave nothing on the table. Hopefully, I can walk away and just think, if I lose, I've not lost through not trying.
You've got 32 players in it from the start, all great players. If you don't play well, then you don't win. Simple. The standard is so tough now. I've had a good season so far on paper, played some really good stuff, so I'll go in there, try my best, but every day is different. I'm playing well at the minute but it doesn't mean to say I'm going to go out there and play well on Wednesday. Hopefully, if I do, I feel like I've got a chance to get through.