'I don’t know where it has come from' - Robert Milkins stunned by Gibraltar Open final win

ByAlex Livie

Updated 26/03/2022 at 22:35 GMT

At the age of 46 and after 27 years as a professional, Robert Milkins finally got his hands on a trophy with victory over Kyren Wilson in the final of the Gibraltar Open. It was a victory that stunned Milkins. “I don’t know where it has come from, but I am glad it is here as I have not got much time left."

Robert Milkins has admitted his Gibraltar Open final win over Kyren Wilson came completely out of the blue, and hands him a career lifeline.

Milkins has had a torrid time in recent seasons, and the current campaign saw a string of first-round losses.

He also had a controversial trip to the Turkish Masters, but a matter of weeks later Milkins was getting his hands on a piece of silverware for the first time in his career.

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“It’s been a long time coming,” Milkins said on Eurosport. “I have worked all my career for this.

I can’t believe it, it is a dream come true.

“It is our life. It is hard to keep going, practicing, practicing, practicing. Moments like this, it is all worthwhile.

“It is a dream come true.”

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Reflecting on his recent poor run of form, Milkins feels the out-of-the-blue win, £50,000 prize and ranking points is a career lifeline.

“Things have not been going well for me recently,” the 46-year-old said. “I could not see it coming.

“There have been other times in my career when I’ve felt I had a chance of winning a tournament, but I did even see a match coming. I had only won three matches all year.

Milkins seals title in stunning win over Wilson

“I don’t know where it has come from, but I am glad it is here as I have not got much time left.

“I think I was on about £12,000 for the season before that. The standard is so good, so without that next year I could have been struggling to stay on the tour so that has changed it all around for me.”

An emotional Milkins dedicated the win to his deceased parents.

“I would like to dedicate this to the people who I have lost and can’t see me here, my mum and dad,” Milkins said.

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