Robertson said this to add to Ronnie O’Sullivan’s advice to youngsters earlier in the week when O’Sullivan said “I would say; put your gear away, go and take up golf, take tennis up. Stay away from this game.”
Then world number 83, Michael Georgiou hit back at Neil Robertson’s comments by Tweeting ” I disagree, people who share this ignorant opinion have clearly never worked a day in their life. #gratitude.”
In response to Georgiou’s harsh words, Robertson replied;
“I used to practice then work from 7pm to 5am in a night club 3 nights a week rolling up urinal mats and mopping up vomit 1/2.”
“So i could get the expenses to come to England. I’ve done it tougher than anyone. Fact” Robertson added.
Australian born Neil Robertson has one of the most compelling stories about his early career. He was said to arrive in the UK with just £500 pounds in his pocket before excelling on the pro circuit.
Other snooker fans then hit out at the Aussie.
One fan said ” You had a dream once. Why discourage anyone else. All this negativity from you and ROS [Ronnie O’Sullivan] on RT today. Talk the sport up man!”
Robertson replied ” Not discouraging. Just make sure you get an education 1st or during. Unless you get top 20, you won’t earn enough to cover the bills.”
In recent months some of the players, most notably Mark Allen have argued that earnings for the lower ranked players is not enough to maintain a decent standard of living. Barry Hearn, Chairman of World Snooker argued otherwise back in November.
” I don’t subsidize mediocrity. If players don’t win their first round matches, they don’t get paid” Barry Hearn said.
He went on to say ” To those players not winning enough matches, either improve or look for another job.”
The arguments surrounding player’s salaries and the viability of snooker as a career won’t be going away anytime soon it would seem. With the Masters and World Championships just around the corner, the spotlight will once again be on these issues.
