‘It will be very weird having fans back in’
THE return of fans for the first day of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield today provides cause for cautious optimism that sport’s lockdown year might finally be drawing to a close.
But for two of the players preparing to feature in the opening sessions, it also represents a significant point on their own mental health journeys, and one which yields dramatically contrasting reactions.
Former semi-finalist David Gilbert, who starts against Chris Wakelin, has admitted ‘hating every minute’ of the lockdown, and struggling to find the motivation to continue playing to a reasonable standard as a result.
“Without a crowd there’s been no buzz at tournaments and it’s felt as flat as a pancake,” Gilbert said. “It’s not helped me in any way whatsoever. I’ve never felt so bored in all my life.”
But for Martin Gould, who kicks off his 11th Crucible campaign against Masters champion Yan Bingtao, the shut-out season has had the opposite effect, resurrecting his love for the game eight months after admitting he felt ‘ashamed and pathetic’ to be struggling with his mental health.
So much has Gould flourished in the new environment that he is distinctly less than enthusiastic about the fact that the Crucible will be 33 per cent full today, theoretically rising to 100 per cent for next month’s final.
Gould admitted: “I’ve really enjoyed playing in front of nobody – it’s been like going down the club and having a game.
“We’ve been so used to not having anyone rustling sweet papers and packets of crisps and mobile phones going off, and I think it’s going to be quite weird having a crowd back in there again.
“It’s certainly worked for me – nice and quiet, no noises coming from anywhere. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.
“It might take me a frame or two just to remember that the crowd is actually there.”
Ticket holders for the Crucible have to undergo pre- and postevent coronavirus tests.