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

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. Ad/> 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. SnookerO'Sullivan in line to join Fu and Ng at Hong Kong MastersYESTERDAY AT 10:28 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." 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.