‘Get over it’ – Snooker star Neil Robertson told he could win World Championship again if he ignores Crucible concerns
NEIL ROBERTSON has been told to forget his worries about the Crucible – and secure an overdue second world title.
The Australian star, 43, has enjoyed a stunning return to form on the baize over the past year.
Robertson is currently tenth on the Order of Merit standings after racking up over £500,000 in prize money this season.
He came out on top in the World Grand Prix earlier this month and pocketed £100,000 for winning the UK Open.
Now the 43-year-old has his sights on a second World Championship crown – at one of his most troublesome venues.
The Thunder from Down-Under became world champion in 2010 but has not made it past the quarter-final stage at the Crucible since.
He has previously suggested the tournament should be moved away from the iconic Sheffield arena.
Robertson said: “I think we have to be careful of tradition, there are a lot of sports that have suffered because of that, and been too stubborn to move on.
“The one table set-up is really special. But there’s definitely room for improvement in the two-table set-up.
“We have to move with the times, I don’t think the championships should continue at the Crucible itself.”
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Rising star Steven Hallworth believes Robertson needs to put his dislike of the Crucible behind him ahead of next month’s tournament.
And the 29-year-old believes the 2010 champ could be a real threat if he does so.
Speaking on the Snooker Club podcast, Hallworth said: “He’s got to get over the fact that he doesn’t like playing in the Crucible.
“He’s come out and said he doesn’t like the two table set up.
“Robertson is a danger to anyone on his day. On the one table set up in the Crucible he could go deep and win it again.
“But he has to get over the battle with himself.
“It’s an absolute travesty how he’s only got one world title on his CV looking at the player and the person that he is.
“It’s just wrong really. But unless he can get over that in Sheffield it’ll be his biggest uphill battle.”
The Crucible has hosted every World Championship since 1977.
But it can only hold 980 spectators, with its contract for the April-May showpiece tournament set to expire in two years.
Seven-time Crucible king Ronnie O’Sullivan and current world No1 Judd Trump are among stars who reckon the intimate venue might be too small.
Fellow pro Elliot Slessor told The Snooker Hall Podcast last December: “I might upset some people here, but I’ll tell you a spade’s a spade, and I like to tell the truth.
“Obviously, it’s an iconic venue. But in the grand scheme of things, they are on about making it a global sport and growing the game.
“Fair enough to keep it at the Crucible if you put the prize money up. But the prize money has stayed the same the last eight years for qualifying.
“That doesn’t seem like a growing game to me.”