Matthew Selt is an English professional whose career has been defined by perseverance on the Main Tour and a breakthrough ranking title at the 2019 Indian Open.
Matthew Selt – Career Snapshot
| Date of birth: | 7 March 1985 |
| Nationality: | England |
| Turned professional: | 2002 |
| Highest world ranking: | No. 20 |
| Ranking titles: | 1 |
| World Championship titles: | 0 |
| Triple Crown titles: | 0 |
| Masters appearances: | 0 |
| Maximum 147 breaks: | 1 |
Matthew Selt’s Snooker Career
Matthew Selt first turned professional in 2002 as a teenager, but his initial spell on the Main Tour lasted just one season before he was relegated. He returned to the professional circuit in 2007 via the Pontin’s International Open Series and has remained a regular on tour since, though much of his career was spent in the middle ranks due to inconsistent form.
For many years, Selt’s results fluctuated and he recorded only occasional ranking event quarter-final runs. One of his more significant performances during that period came at the 2015 UK Championship, a deep run that helped him briefly threaten a place inside the top 16.
He reached a career-high world ranking of number 20 in 2016 and also won the non-ranking Haining Open in China, securing the first notable title of his professional career. Selt’s defining moment arrived in 2019 at the Indian Open in Kochi.
Selt defeated John Higgins in the semi-finals and then beat Lyu Haotian 5-3 in the final to claim his first ranking title and the biggest payday of his career. He later discussed that the win came during a period in which he was suffering from gambling addiction, attributing the habit to difficult spells of form and frustration over inconsistency.
In more recent seasons, Selt managed to hold his place among the top 32 and reached the final of the 2021/22 Turkish Masters, further underlining his ability to contend when in form.
Outspoken and unafraid to voice his opinions, Selt has developed a polarising reputation, admired by some but also capable of rubbing others up the wrong way.
Matthew Selt’s Ranking Titles
Matthew Selt won 1 ranking title during his professional career.
| Year | Tournament |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Indian Open |
Other Major Titles and Notable Wins
- Haining Open (2016)
Matthew Selt and the Triple Crown
Matthew Selt won 0 Triple Crown titles during his professional career.
- World Championship: 0 titles
- UK Championship: 0 titles
- Masters: 0 titles
SHQ Star Rating: ★★★
SnookerHQ uses a seven-point star scale based on the scoring values of snooker balls, with a black (7) representing the highest career classification. Ratings are assigned using career achievements, longevity, and historical impact.
Matthew Selt: ★★★
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Featured photo credit: WST