Neil Robertson calls for more consistent snooker schedule

Former snooker world champion Neil Robertson has called for more consistency in how tournaments are scheduled.

The Australian, who lives in Cambridge, said frequent air travel between continents was “very tolling” on players’ bodies.

He spoke to BBC Essex, having just travelled from China to Brentwood ahead of his first English Open fixture on Monday.

“It’s great having all these tournaments, but I think the schedule could be structured a lot better,” Robertson said.

Robertson said regular travel was beginning to take its toll on his health.

“It seems strange to be bouncing from Shanghai to Saudi, back to the UK, back to China – when we were just there – and now back to the UK,” he said.

“The travel expenses are an awful lot, not to mention the constant adjustment to jet lag.

“It’s very tolling on your body to constantly switch between these zones.

“It’s a lot of bouncing around and your body can only take so much of that, and it’s very tough.”

The 43-year-old suggested countries hosted back-to-back tournaments to cut down on air travel.

Robertson praised the creation of the Professional Snooker Players Association (PSPA), which he hoped would improve player welfare.

Set up in August, the association claimed the governance of snooker “should factor in more of the views of the players”.

Snooker is governed by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), which formed its own players’ board in 2020.

It previously said player engagement was “always welcomed”, adding: “The WPBSA will continue to serve the sport in the interests of all its playing members.”

It has been contacted for further comment.