'Playing for fun' – Neil Robertson reveals why he is missing from action as snooker season heats up

ByEurosport

Updated 05/08/2022 at 14:39 GMT

Neil Robertson will miss the first three ranking events of the season at the Championship League, European Masters and British Open, but will begin his 2022/23 campaign at the inaugural World Mixed doubles event next month (September 24-25) in Milton Keynes. "I don't need to play in every tournament these days," said the Australian No. 1. Stream top snooker action live and on-demand on discovery+

Neil Robertson has admitted he is comfortable with his decision to opt out of the early action of the new snooker season.

The Masters holder has missed the Championship League event in Leicester and will also sit out the European Masters in Furth and British Open in Milton Keynes over the next couple of months.

The world No. 4 will compete in the inaugural World Mixed Doubles (24-25 September) and could also feature in the Hong Kong Masters (6-9 October) – a tournament he won with a 6-3 win over Ronnie O'Sullivan in 2017 – if he accepts an invite.

World Championship

'Every part of his game is really sharp' - White and McManus rave about O'Sullivan form

00:01:31

|

a day ago

But his first ranking action of the campaign will not come until he faces Fraser Patrick at the Northern Ireland Open LIVE on Eurosport (16-23 October) at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

"I've got a young family now so I don't need to play in every tournament these days," said Robertson, who has prioritised family after helping wife Mille overcome a battle with depression.

"I used to play in most tournaments, but I'm playing for fun now. My family is really important to me, they're my inspiration to win.

"It gives you a really great buzz to have them there with me when I win tournaments, they're the memories I love creating."

'This is incredible snooker' - Robertson beats Williams to reach Masters final

Robertson celebrated his 40th birthday during his 10-5 win over Barry Hawkins in the final of the Players Championship in February.

It was one of four events the 2010 world champion lifted last season with the English Open, Masters and Tour Championship completing arguably his most productive campaign.

He also reached the World Grand Prix final, losing 10-8 to world champion O'Sullivan last December.

• Top 10 shots of 2021/22: No. 7 – Robertson's granite green in epic Masters semi-final
• Robertson named WST Player of the Year, O'Sullivan takes journalists' award

"It was a wonderful season, I'm really proud of what I achieved," Robertson told The Sportsman.

"But I've got nothing left to prove, the way I'm playing now is the most fun I've had in my entire career.

I've won everything that you can in, I suppose the only thing which has eluded me is more world titles.

"At this stage of my career, winning some tournaments doesn't matter to me, but I'd love to win the world title again."

The moment Neil Robertson won the Masters

World Championship

'The anxiety has left' - O’Sullivan happy with his start at the Crucible

a day ago

World Championship

O'Sullivan delivered 'perfect' performance in Page win - McManus and White

Yesterday at 18:47

World Championship

'You have to dig deep' - O’Sullivan feels ability to handle pressure key to Crucible success

Yesterday at 16:00