It will be a special feeling for Masters champion Mark Selby when he steps out at Wembley Arena for his opening match on Monday.

The 25-year-old 'Jester from Leicester' is defending the title he won so impressively 12 months ago when he beat Stephen Lee 10-3 in the final.

It marked Selby's breakthrough tournament win, and he quickly followed it up by clinching his first ranking title at the Welsh Open four weeks later.

Now the world No.4 returns to London for one of the most prestigious events on the snooker calendar.

Only the world's top 16 players are invited to take part, plus one wildcard and one qualifier, and Selby is determined to keep hold of the title and enjoy another year of being announced as 'Masters champion'.

"It's been fantastic, hearing my name called out like that during the last year," said Selby.

"It will be even more special on Monday, going back to the venue and seeing my name on the honours board and a huge picture of me on the wall.

"And, when they call my name out as Masters champion, it will make me even more determined to win it again."

The last man to retain the title was the late Paul Hunter in 2002 and Selby, the first debutant for 19 years to win the competition, feels he is playing well enough to emulate that feat.

Despite losing 9-7 to Mark Williams in the last 32 of the UK Championship in December, he this week took a step nearer to retaining his place in the Premier League.

Last year's runner-up, Selby qualified for the winners' group of the Championship League by beating Ali Carter 3-1 in the final at Crondon Park Golf Club in Essex.

He will now take on the six other group winners in March with the overall champion rewarded with a spot in the Premier League.

"But for a few missed balls against Mark in the UK it could have easily gone my way," said Selby. "I was disappointed to lose, of course, but I felt I played well.

"Now it's a new year and a new start, I've played well this week and I've prepared well. My game is good.

"Winning my Championship League group is a very good achievement. You can't get any better match practice than against this standard, and it has set me up very well for the Masters."

In his opening match on Monday evening (7.0), Selby will face either world No.15 Mark King or surprise Shanghai Masters champion Ricky Walden for a place in the quarter-finals.

Whoever he gets, he knows it will be a tough opener, having lost to both players in their previous meetings.

King famously dumped Selby out of the 888.com World Championships at the first-round stage in April last year, while Walden prevailed in the semi-finals in Shanghai in September.

"They've both got an edge over me, so whichever one it is there will be an element of revenge to it," said Selby.

"It's always a tough draw at the Masters, though, that's what it's all about, the very best players in the world up against each other.

"But I know I'm capable of winning it again after my experiences last year."

Selby played some of the best snooker of his career on his way to the title.

He racked up deciding-frame victories over former world champions Stephen Hendry and Ken Doherty, as well as world No.2 Stephen Maguire, on the way to the final.

He hit four tons against Lee, including a career-high 141 which also equalled the highest break of the tournament.

As defending champion and because of the heights he hit last year, Selby knows the expectation for him to do well will be even greater.

But he insists he can handle the pressure and said: "It will be a new experience, and I'm sure I will be nervous.

"But I will also be excited and, as soon as I get settled and comfortable on the table, I will enjoy it."