Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Seeing dad has saved my season
AUSSIE CHAMP FELT LIKE QUITTING TILL FATHER FLEW OVER FOR SURPRISE VISIT
BY HECTOR NUNNS
REVIVED Tour Championship winner Neil Robertson says an emotional reunion with his dad saved his season.
The 39-year-old laid down a huge marker for next month’s Betfred World Championship by crushing Ronnie O’sullivan 10-4 in Sunday’s final at Celtic Manor.
But just weeks ago the Cambridge-based star was heading towards deep depression and close to taking six months off from snooker, having not seen family from Down Under for two years.
However, without Robertson’s knowledge, concerned wife Mille, seeing the deteriorating state of his mental health, tirelessly lobbied the Australian government.
And Australia allowed dad Ian, who also has British citizenship, to make the trip from Melbourne amid strict rules observing Covid protocols.
World No.3 Robertson said: “It is awesome to have my dad here.
“Just thinking about it has made me cry like a baby.
“He arrived just before the Tour Championship. It makes me emotional because I was really struggling earlier this year. I pulled out of the Welsh Open in February after actually driving halfway to the venue.
“I stopped the car, called Mille and told her I just didn’t want to play snooker any more. I didn’t see any end in sight.
“She could see some signs and told me to come home. I needed some time for a plan to want to compete again and get my head right. It was the first time I’ve felt that down and homesick since coming to the UK in 2003.
“But the whole thing has given me a huge mental lift, and that is important looking ahead to the World Championship. Half the battle at the Crucible is wanting to be there and battling it out.
“Now it is a completely different mindset. I can’t wait to play in Sheffield.
“And I owe it all to Mille, she did something amazing and moved mountains to get Dad over here.
“She saw me struggling. I didn’t know but she started writing letters, including to the Australian government. And finally they permitted a visit abiding by some very strict rules.
“When she told me he was booked on a flight and due to arrive in five days my whole outlook changed in a second.
“He is at my home, he has to do some test-and-release thing, and he can take the vaccine as he has a British passport having moved to Australia aged about eight.
“He is 60 this month and retired now. And he’ll be here for the World Championship as I think he has to stay three months.”
‘The whole thing has given me a huge mental lift and that is important’