Exclusive: Neil Robertson reveals masterplan to crack the Crucible

Neil Robertson is doing things differently in his bid to become a multiple world champion this year. 

A year ago the 2010 Crucible King missed out on the World Championship for the first time since 2004 after losing on Judgement Day. 

But a spell of soul-searching led to the former world No.1 linking up with sports psychologist Helen Davis in his quest to return to snooker’s top table.

Robertson is back among the contenders for this year's showpiece, which kicks off on Saturday in Sheffield. 

He ended an uncharacteristic 18-month ranking-title drought at the English Open and backed that up by winning the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong last month.

Aussie ace Robertson is staying in an apartment outside of the city centre to keep himself away from the Crucible circus this time around, something the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins have done in recent years.

And he told SportsBoom.com: “It was a really deflating moment [missing the Crucible last year].”

“When it happened, in the next couple of days I was looking forward to the season finishing so I could regroup and plan how to get back to the top of the game.”

“I feel missing out last year I’m going into this year fresh with new ideas.”

“I’m going into the World Championship doing things that I’ve never done before because clearly what I've done before’s not worked so there’s no point repeating the same processes and hoping things fall into place.”

“I’m doing something completely different. I’m not going to stay at the hotel like I usually do, it’s handy to nip back and forth for practice sessions, but I’m going to stay further away from it all.”

“I’m going to separate myself and keep myself in a good bubble. So that every time I go and get a coffee I’m not surrounded by fans and things like that.”

“It's nice to sign autographs and take pictures, I think it's important to treat it like work. Sometimes I've treated it like a snooker holiday myself because I’m such a huge fan of the game myself."

“It’s a new idea. Working with my sports psychologist throughout the season has been amazing. I wish I’d met her ten years ago. It’s really nice to have someone with you structure a plan.”

“I’ll have Joe [Perry] in my corner and my good friend Joe who comes to all the tournaments. He manages things really well.”

“He organises tickets and all that sort of stuff. Previous years people are calling me up last minute and you're trying to sort that out before a session. You could be practicing and all of a sudden they can’t get in you have to go and sort it. All of that has to be taken care of.”

ROBERTSON'S REGRETS

Nobody has a define right to win the World Championship, but just one world title is a poor return given Robertson’s undoubted calibre.

In times gone by he has headed to the Crucible as the red-hot favourite to lift the treasured trophy.

Robertson, who has made just one semi-final since winning the title 15 years ago, has spoken openly about the tight surroundings for the two-table set-up not suiting his long walk in to the shot.

And the world No.9 added: “I’ve had a lot of regrets from matches there over the past six or seven years and I’m really focused on making sure that won’t happen again whether I go out early, late or end up winning it.” 

“I’m not going to revert to going into my shell which I've done in many years where I’ve tried to control a session when things haven’t gone my way.”

“This year I’m going to be very attacking and it will be that way from the first ball to the last.”

“I’ve lost in the quarter-finals to players like Mark Selby, John Higgins, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Kyren Wilson. These are top-tier players.”

“But I’ve had sessions where things haven't gone well so I’ve gone into my shell for some damage control instead of wrestling back the initiative.”