Leicester's Mark Selby insisted he could have no complaints following a shock second round exit in the UK Championship on Saturday.
The world champion and world No.1 went down at the York Barbican 6-4 to Irishman David Morris, a player ranked 62 places below him who nearly quit snooker altogether after dropping off the tour in 2012.
The 'Jester from Leicester' was not smiling as a series of costly errors saw Morris take an early lead, and Selby could not get back into the match after the interval.
But the 31-year-old was humble in defeat and admitted Morris deserved his moment.
"I started off badly and deserved to be 3-1 behind," he said. "After the interval I thought I played a lot better but so did David and, on the day, I think he deserved to win.
"At 4-4 I went in to the pack. If I'd landed on one there, I felt good that I was going to take the frame and, who knows, I could be sitting here with a different scoreline.
"But all credit to David for seeing out the match and good luck to him in the next round.
"I have known him for a few years now and I know he dropped off the tour, but I know his potential and he should be doing much better than he is.
"I think he showed what a great player he is out there."
The result means Selby will drop off the world No.1 spot, but he admits he is looking forward to putting away his cue for a while and spending some time with his new family.
Having won his first World Championship earlier this year and had his first daughter born on November 11, Selby looks back on 2014 with fond memories.
He added: "The year couldn't have got any better, winning the World Championship for the first time and Sofia being born a few weeks ago.
"If there are any positives then it is that I can go home and spend as much time as possible with her.
"It's always nice to be number one, but as long as you are in the top 64 everyone comes in at the same round in the majority tournaments.
"So it is doesn't matter where you are from one to 64, the standard is so high now anyone can beat you."
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