Neil Robertson offers financial help to fellow snooker stars affected by coronavirus shutdown
KIND-HEARTED Neil Robertson has offered to financially help any struggling snooker players during the coronavirus crisis.
Australia’s 2010 world snooker champion says he would support close pals if they find it hard to pay their mortgage before the rescheduled World Championships this July.
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World No 2 Robbo said: “Should any struggle or need advancement for their prize money at the worlds, then they can pay me back as soon as they get paid from World Snooker. It’s no problem.
“If a player I know came to me and said, ‘Look, I’m really struggling to pay my bills, are you all right to front me as a guarantor for the first round of the worlds?’ Well, I’d do that no problem. Absolutely.”
Snooker chiefs have set up a hardship fund against future prize money for those down the rankings.
Some people in the UK may have mental health issues and we’ve seen the best and worst of humanity. People are trying to be generous and help elderly people.
Neil Robertson
Robertson, 38, who earned £915,000 over the past two years, knows how fortunate he has been and is willing to help out the baize community.
He added: “A lot of players can be thankful they’ve a place on the tour. But it’s tough for lower-ranked players. Some could struggle.
“Some people in the UK may have mental health issues and we’ve seen the best and worst of humanity. People are trying to be generous and help elderly people. In Cambridge where I live, everyone’s pulling together.”
The Crucible showpiece was supposed to start on April 18 but will be moved to July 25.
It could be staged behind closed doors in Sheffield or with restrictions in place for the crowd.
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With Premier League football on hold, the Tokyo Olympics postponed and Wimbledon cancelled, top-class snooker could save our summer.
Left-hander Robertson and world No 1 and defending champion Judd Trump were the men in form before the tour was postponed.
But Robertson reckons maverick Ronnie O’Sullivan might fancy his prospects of winning a sixth crown.
The Thunder from Down Under said: “Snooker is a very good TV sport. And it’s probably more equipped to deal with this situation than maybe other sports.
“Lifting a major trophy in front of an empty stadium would be a very strange feeling.
“But then you’d rather do that than not play at all. It’s a tough balance.
“Form goes out of the window now. It’s like starting a new season. We cannot do exhibitions or smaller events to get match sharpness.
“It could be wide open. Myself and Judd were clear favourites from the end of the season.
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“But I feel Ronnie has a better chance than maybe if he had been busy in the second half of the season. He’s one who would be the favourite should it go ahead.
“A crowd plays a massive part with Ronnie. It can get on top of his opponent but at the same time, sometimes they can get on him if he’s not entertaining.
“At the same time, he won’t have the pressure from the crowd. Sometimes they can get on him if he’s not entertaining.
“When you watch Barcelona play you want to see Lionel Messi score two goals. If he hasn’t after 80 minutes you can perhaps get restless.
“But if the tournament goes ahead with full safety guaranteed, it’d be better to play than not at all.”
Robertson, who is sponsored by , is able to practise three times a week at his Essex club with no one else around.
This lockdown period has allowed him plenty of time with his wife and two young children.
He added: “When I do start playing again it’s important to be sharp. A long break can cause long-term damage to a player’s technique.
“It can be dangerous for a snooker player to go 2-3 months without even touching a cue.”