Snooker star Neil Robertson wants radical change to World Championships setup… ending 45-years of tradition
NEIL ROBERTSON has called for a radical Crucible shake-up, breaking up 45 years of tradition at the Home of snooker.
It is well known that the Australian, 40, is not a big fan of the two-table set-up at the Betfred World Snooker Championship.
The divider comes down for the first and second rounds and quarter-finals – to separate the action happening on two tables – and the event only becomes a one-table format from the semi-finals onwards
Robertson, who is 6ft 3in, finds it difficult to move into his shots when the 980-seater Crucible becomes intentionally cramped in the early rounds.
To combat this, he has been practising at his Cambridge club by strategically placing bar stools round the table in an attempt to replicate the tightness of this unique venue.
After beating York debutant Ashley Hugill 10-5 over two sessions, the world No3 revealed his ideal scenario for the future of the tournament.
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Play some matches elsewhere in Sheffield but scrap the two tables and give everyone their moment in the spotlight.
He said: “I have been asked in the past which changes would I make to the worlds if I could.
“Well my idea is like Wimbledon where you have Centre Court and No.1 Court and then matches on smaller courts.
“Give everyone who qualifies here the one-table experience. But I want to expand the tournament. Put it in a potential second venue in the city.
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“Sheffield is so equipped to deal with that. You could have two Crucible venues that are very equal.
But everyone can finish their season with that one-table set-up.
“I think it would be an amazing occasion. It’s just an idea.
“Being the world championship, it should be the biggest event from the start. Not the biggest event from the semi-finals.
“I have spoken with other players and they also think it is a great idea. Maybe some traditionalists don’t like it.
“I know people at World Snooker are looking at it. But I don’t think it is great to take snooker away from the Crucible completely. Who would take Test cricket away from Lord’s?”
Robertson lived up to his tournament favourite tag as he hit four centuries, including a 132 break, in the first round and booked a spot against either Jack Lisowski or Matthew Stevens.
Stephen Hendry, the sport’s most successful player, holds the record of 16 tons hit during the 2002 worlds.
The Melbourne cueist said: “One year I made 11 and I lost in the quarter-finals. Last year, I made 10 and lost in the quarters.
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“If I can go all the way to the final, I think I can make 20 centuries in the tournament for sure.
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“I’m still waiting to have that real burst where I go real nuts.
“I’m capable of making 6-7 centuries in a row. Hopefully it will happen in one session. I’m waiting to get into that blitz mode. It would be great if it does happen.”