Snooker restart will feel like new season, says Neil Robertson

Snooker, like all professional sport in the UK, has been sidelined due to the coronavirus pandemic since the Gibraltar Open on March 15.

The season-ending World Championship in Sheffield has been postponed until next month, but for former world champion Robertson, it feels like a new campaign.

“The season really finished when lockdown happened,” the Australian said.

“We haven’t played for two or three months.

“The World Championship will still officially be in the same season, but for all the players it will feel like a new one.

“Usually you have a good idea of who the favourites are.

“Now form is irrelevant and it will go down to who has been practising best.

“As good as it has been, everyone has had enough of watching 15-year old football matches. Your brain can only tap into so much nostalgia.

“Live sport gives people a real boost. It is often overlooked that people who work tough jobs and have difficult lifestyles can get a great amount of enjoyment from watching sport.

“The sooner we can get it back on TV the better.”

The Championship League will be played behind closed doors in Milton Keynes – with players and officials virus tested, before staying at the on-site hotel – with 64 players competing.

It will be the first live professional sporting event to be broadcast, on ITV, with the government easing restrictions on June 1.

Robertson – who reached three consecutive ranking finals in January – faces Rotherham’s Ashley Carty in a four-man group, which also includes Kurt Mafin and Ken Doherty, next Sunday.

“Everyone has had a hard reset now,” the 38-year-old added.

“Form is out of the window and it doesn’t matter how good your season has been.”

Also in action in Milton Keynes next week are Leeds duo Oliver Lines and David Grace.

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