WELSHMAN Michael White spoke openly of his battle with depression for the first time after exiting the Betfred World Championship against qualifier Sam Baird.

The 24-year-old from Neath was 7-6 in front at one stage before losing four frames in a row to bow out in the first round.

White failed to qualify for the Crucible in 2015 but his rise into the top 16 earned him automatic qualification this year.

But he was heading home early on Monday night and White admitted he needs some time away from the table.

“I don't want to make an excuse and I've never mentioned it before, but I do suffer with depression,” he said.

“Stress can bring it on and make it feel worse and I couldn't focus out there at all.

“I don't really know where to turn at the moment with my game. But I've got to get my mental state right first before I can go anywhere.

“I had a bit of a breakdown with my concentration. Sam played well in the last four frames, but I was really struggling out there.

“I look back on the season and it's disappointing. I had high expectations. I'm not enjoying it at the moment, there are too many negative vibes.

“I need to have a sit back and think seriously about where I'm going.

“On my day I believe I'm a top player but when it's not there it really isn't there.

“I won't be playing for a month or so. I'll try and reflect on the championship and season and go from there.

“It never crossed my mind not to play. I'll always try no matter what.

“Players struggle from time to time. It's quite sad really. Hopefully I can come back stronger.”

Though White trailed by one frame overnight, he picked up three of the second session's first four frames to look set for a place in round two.

He showed little sign of the inward torment he was suffering as he made breaks of 88 and 102.

And, in truth, there was little he could do about the final outcome, Baird taking his chances to reel off four successive frames.

“It just wasn't good enough,” White added. “Sam played well though, take nothing away from him.

“I'm putting the hours in in practice and I'm trying to go into events with a good attitude, but it's just not happening at the moment.”

*Watch the World Championship live on Eurosport with Colin Murray and analysis from Jimmy White and Ronnie O’Sullivan.