**Shock Defeat at Crucible Sees Mark Selby Demonstrate Sportsmanship, With Praise from Referee’s Wife**
The World Snooker Championship at Sheffield’s iconic Crucible Theatre witnessed one of its biggest upsets in recent memory when four-time champion Mark Selby was eliminated in the first round by fellow Leicester native Ben Woollaston. The match, which concluded just after midnight, ended 10-8 in favour of Woollaston, who is ranked 44th in the world. The result sent ripples through the sport, not only for the shock nature of Selby’s exit but for the grace and sportsmanship he showed in defeat—a moment further highlighted by insight from Woollaston’s wife, Tatiana.
Selby, regarded as one of the competition’s heavyweights and often tipped as a favourite, now finds himself departing the Crucible at the very first hurdle for the second consecutive year. Ironically, last year saw him ousted, again by a Leicester rival, Joe O’Connor. Despite facing such back-to-back disappointments on snooker’s grandest stage, Selby’s response was exemplary.
Ben Woollaston and Mark Selby are more than just competitors: they are regular practice partners, and their families share a close bond off the table. Both Woollaston’s wife, Tatiana—a leading snooker referee—and their young son, Edward, were in the Crucible audience lending support as the drama unfolded.
After Woollaston’s landmark victory, Tatiana took to social media to describe the intense emotions of the evening. Accompanied by a nervous emoji, she wrote: “That was me all evening… Wonderful words of congratulations from both Mark and Vikki [Layton, Selby’s wife] to me and Edward after the match.” Her reflections offered fans a glimpse of the camaraderie and mutual respect that persists at the sport’s highest levels, even amid fierce competition.
Selby himself was candid in his post-match assessment, admitting he was simply outplayed over two tense sessions. He commented, “It was tough from start to finish. I didn’t play anywhere near where I can play and probably didn’t deserve to win. Ben played some good match snooker and his safety was second to none. I threw a lot of frames away. I came here with a bit of confidence, but didn’t expect to play like that.” This openness added to the sense of humility which has made Selby a respected figure, both in and out of the sport.
The victory held particular emotional weight for Woollaston. The 2025 win represented a personal and professional milestone, especially in light of his long-running health challenges. Woollaston has experienced profound fatigue in recent years, which he attributes to a reaction following a Covid vaccine received four years ago. “I’m in shock really. I never thought this day would come, winning a match at the Crucible, and against Mark. He is, apart from Ronnie O’Sullivan, probably the king of the Crucible in recent times,” Woollaston said in the aftermath.
Tatiana, for her part, maintains a strictly professional separation, as snooker regulations prohibit her from officiating her husband’s matches. Reflecting on this last year, she explained, “He’s on the circuit as a player, I’m on the circuit as a referee. We’ve never really mixed that. I’m obviously not allowed to referee his games and I wouldn’t want to, to be fair.” This division ensures Woollaston faces no suggestion of favouritism, and Tatiana can carry out her duties without personal conflict.
As the tournament progresses, Tatiana’s schedule remains unaffected by her husband’s participation, given the tournament’s two-table format that persists until the semi-finals. While it is technically possible she could be refereeing on the other table while Ben plays, both are content to keep their professional paths distinct.
Looking ahead, should Woollaston and the legendary Ronnie O’Sullivan each progress past their next matches, a tantalising quarter-final clash awaits. For now, however, the focus remains on the sportsmanship and resilience demonstrated by all involved—qualities which continue to define snooker’s unique spirit at the Crucible.