I had an opportunity to have a quick chat with the Finnish snooker star Robin Hull, who´s defending his Shoot-Out title this week at the Watford Colosseum. Like many of our top sportsmen here in Finland, Kimi Räikkönen and Janne Ahonen to mention a few, Robin is not always overly chatty. But when he says something, he means it and he tells it how it is. So here´s some of his thoughts about the Shoot-Out tournament and about his 2016/2017 season so far.
Let´s start with some latest result (the interview was done before Welsh Open). German Masters went pretty nicely: you won Brecel, Stevens and Jimmy White but then lost to Ryan Day. What thoughts on the German affair?
It was an OK tournament for me, tough game against Day. Not quite far enough to actually get some sort of confidence boost to carry forward but good signs of my game going the right direction after the changes i've made. Germany itself was fantastic, really enjoyed playing there. Favourite tournament after the World Champs.
Surprise defeat to Gareth Allen in China qualifiers, so you´ll have to skip China. But when you think about it, could it be a blessing in disguise sort of thing? Many players say it´s really tough to come from China and then straight in to the World Champ qualifiers, at least now you have good time to prepare for the worlds?
Horrible game to be fair but the positive is exactly that: getting solid preparation for the worlds.
In recent times you´ve played some really big TV-matches, for example Ronnie and Mark Allen. Is it more difficult to get going when there´s TV camera´s around? Do you enjoy the situation or does it really matter if the camera´s are there or not?
Nothing better than playing the top players. I find it hard sometimes to settle down like i would like to when there are camera´s around, but enjoy the challenge of getting better in these situations. Always a buzz.
Last year you won the Shoot-Out and earned your ticket to Champion of Champions. Unfortenately you draw Ronnie and lost the game. How did you feel going in to that match and playing Ronnie?
I always play to win whatever the odds are on paper. Gave myself a chance in that match but need to be better. Next time!
Season is already on it´s second half. It´s been up´s and downs. You´ve won some of the top boys (now including Ding Junhui), on the other hand, you´ve had some painful defeats. How do you feel about the season so far?
Not over the moon with how the season has gone. I have been pretty consistent playing to a moderate standard but that doesn't cut it. So my current ranking pretty much sums up how i've been playing. I´ve done a few changes in my game and they are starting to drop into place at last so i´m looking for a strong finish to the season.
What kind of changes?
Just some things that have to do with lining up the shot and playing rhythm.
It feels like in many matches, especially there in the beginning of the season, you´ve gotten a somewhat slow starts to your matches. Many times you lose the first or even couple of the first frames, and only after that you seem to get your engines going. Last couple of months have been better in that sense mind you. Do you recognise this or am i wrong?
Sure, I´ve been a slow starter at times and thats a thing i've been working on. It´s getting better.
WPBSA has announced that the old Players Forum will be replaced by Players Comission, with Shaun Murphy as head of it. I believe this is WPBSA´s answer to some of the criticism it has gotten lately. How do you feel about that?
Im hoping it gives all the players a level say on things which has been a problem in the past. A very good idea.
Shoot-Out is going on right now, where you are naturally defending the title. Since you won it, the event has gotten a ranking status - an issue that has stirred up a lot of debate. How do you feel about it?
I Don´t agree with it holding full ranking status. It devalues a normal tournament where a lot more skill and stamina is required. It is a fun format though!
Ronnie O´Sullivan had his own show on Eurosport (maybe still has?). If you had your own show, who would be your first guest and why?
Alan Goldberg. To talk about the mental side of competitive sport.
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