Robin Hull To CuePower blog: "I´m looking for a strong finish to the season."

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.

********

A big Thank You & Hat Off to Robin who was once again nice enough to take some time and answer my questions. I wish him nothing but the best for the rest of the season and hopefully he will defend his title at the Watford Colosseum like a true Shoot-Out champion.

Interview with Nigel Bond: "Semifinal in India proved that I can still do it at 51"

Recently i got a chance to chat with Nigel Bond. He´s a proper old school potter whose had a long and respectable career. He was nice enough to do this interview with me which i thought was very kind of him, considering i´m a Finnish blogger with a tiny blog. He talked to me about many things, for example about the possibility of continuing his career, and about the love he still feels towards snooker, a game that got him hooked more than 30 years ago.

Lets start with the latest news (which at the time was German Masters qualifiers). You suffered what I imagine was a pretty painful defeat against Aditya Mehta. You led 3-1 after the interval but in the end lost the deciding frame. Based on numbers it was a pretty long match, quite a few scrappy frames and lot of safety game. How do you feel about that match?

The German masters was pretty much like it's just been in the Scottish open. It's difficult when you are suffering with a lack of confidence, you tend to play less aggressive and frames can go scrappy like you say. I started the match well to go 3-1 up but as the match went on I got worse. I did have the chances to win 5-3 against Adiyta.


Your season so far has been a bit of mixed bag: great run in India (semifinal) but after that it´s been quite tough for you. Tell us a little bit about how you´re feeling right now about your game and the season so far?

I feel I'm playing OK in practice against the Chinese boys at the academy in Sheffield, which has been good for me but losing a lot of first round matches dents your confidence and you get on a downward spiral which is hard to get off.


Last season you talked about the strong possibility of retirement after the season, but then decided to continue. What kept you playing?

I think practicing at the academy has given me a spark. All the Chinese players work hard and put the hours in, it's a great set up and makes you want to play. I did well in the World Championship qualifiers and when you've devoted your life to something it's hard to just stop.


You´ve slipped in rankings a bit now, and your pro-card expires after this season unless you can get back to the top64, or finish in the top eight outside of the top 64, based on prize money won during the 2016/17 season (tricky stuff this!). And actually your situation is pretty good on the latter scenario. How do you fancy continuing your career after this season if it´s possible?

 If I was to drop off the tour there´s no way would I go to Q-School. I've had my time but if I stay on then I will see how things pan out.


You´ve had a long and successful career. You started your professional career in 1989. Many things have changed since then. How do you see snooker as a sport now opposed to what it was when you started? 

The game has changed massively. The tour has become worldwide. When I turned pro the game was mainly British based with a couple of tournaments overseas. There was a lot of dead wood on the tour with the same faces on the TV all the time hence why they became household names. Now even down the rankings the standard is so good. The players are more professional, practice more and more disciplined which you have to be. Sport in general is so much more competitive nowadays.


Can you tell us about how you feel about snooker these days? I mean you´ve played snooker for such a long time, and i'm sure you started out like most of us, simply because you loved the game. How much of that love is left? Is it still more about the love for the game, or is it more professional thing, just something you have gotten used to doing? How much of that old magic is still left in your eyes, do you still love the game?

Absolutely yes. I got hooked on the game and you couldn't keep me off the table. It's harder to love it when you are on a bad run but the highs far out way all the lows. To reach a ranking semifinal this season in India for the first time in 14 years was a massive buzz and that's what drives you as a player. It proves to me that I can still do it at 51!


Jimmy White, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O´Sullivan and Mark Williams, to mention a few, have all said that in the 90´s the standard of playing was higher than today. Everyone knows there are more players now than ever, who are able to win tournaments, but i presume they mean that the top players were better in the 90´s. How do you feel about that?

Some of the top players from the 90's are still up there which shows just how good they are. It was a golden era for the game. There was a club in every town and everyone played. They certainly set the bar high. The standard at the bottom has gotten closer to the top, that´s why there aren't really any shocks these days as you know how good everyone has become. There are more players now capable of winning tournaments than ever.


During this long career you´ve had some great moments like World Championship final (1995), winning British Open (1996), Shoot-out (2011) and World Seniors (2012). Of course you´ve had disappointments as well. What do you consider the high points and low points of your career so far?

My high points are obviously the World Championship final and winning the British Open but any tournament win is a high point. I suppose the lows for me are when I play poorly and don't perform to the standard I know I can.


You are coaching at the Victoria Snooker Academy these days, which I hear is an amazing place for practicing snooker. Can you tell us a little bit more about your involvement? How much you coach, who you coach? Are you planning to turn into a full time coach after your snooker career ends?

My involvement was from the outset. I had asked Victoria with her contacts in China about the possibility of doing some coaching over there. That´s when she mentioned about setting up her own academy in Sheffield. We looked at a few possible properties to set an academy up. Any enquiries we receive regarding coaching will go through myself but they are mostly amateur players. I think coaching is the right way for me to go, I've done some coaching in Germany, Macedonia and Russia. I think in the UK to be a full time coach is difficult so it would be nice to coach all over the world as I enjoy the travel, seeing different places and meeting new people.


Ronnie O´Sullivan has, or at least had, his own show on the EuroSport. If you had your own show, The Nigel Bond Show, who would be your first guest and why?

If it was a fellow snooker player it would have to be Darren Morgan. He was one of my best mates on tour and we're still good friends, although he never shuts up but I'm sure it would be funny and entertaining!

*****

CuePower Snookerblog would like to thank Nigel Bond for taking time to do this interview. I hope his career will go on and he will get the results I feel he deserves. Class act, on and off the table.

Q & A with Martin Gould

CuePower Snookerblog had a great chance to chat with former Championship League, Power Snooker and Shoot-Out champion, Martin Gould. Martin proved to be exceptionally friendly and he seems to always have time for his fans – including a certain annoyingly persistent Finnish blogger. Martin and I discussed his ultimate snooker “dream match” and watching Teletubbies rather than... Well, read on and You´ll find out!

 

I´ve done some research on you, and there´s a wikipedia article on you that says you work "part-time as a debt collector". That sounds interesting. Can you tell me a little bit more about that? Do you have to break knees a lot?
I would like to say my Wikipedia account is full of rubbish. I've never ever been a debt collector. I was a part time croupier though. I'll only break kneecaps if someone messes me around :)


I´ve heard you say that you have a backround in pool. Was pool your first love in billiards? How did the transition from pool to snooker happen?

I used to play pool when I was around 7. I would go into local pub with my mum and dad. I got barred from playing when I was 9 as I was beating the adults and they didn't like it. I also played pool for London and also was England captain at junior level. I even won European under 18s in France back in 1999. I gave up pool shortly after to concentrate on snooker.


The season 2013/2014 seemed a little difficult for you. You´ve come down in rankings a bit, but still within top 32. How do you feel about this past season?

Last season was a bit hit and miss really. I had few problems during the start of the season. I didn't have a club to practice in as I got kicked out by my old club. I fell ill a couple times at wrong times like hour before my match at the uk champs. I don't make excuses, I just get on with it. But the end part of the season was good, I felt like I was findin some form again.

You played against Marco Fu in the first round at World Champs. That was your third match (of which you´ve won 2) against Fu in the first round at the Crucible. It was a great match to watch, but unfortenately you lost 10-7. What are your thoughts about that match?

The match with Marco I think was the pick of the 1st round. We both played very well and brought best out of each other. I feel I only made one mistake in the match and it cost me, but that is snooker for you.


I´ve understood you don´t want to set targets for your career, but what do you expect from next season? You must be thinking about getting back to the top 16? You should be there, you are good enough.

I've never been one for setting targets as I find something always goes wrong. But I think you´re right, I should be in top 16 but I shall just keep plugging away, doing my best and enjoy playing the game I love.


Are you a snooker fan? Do you watch games and read the news and blogs about snooker, or is playing as a professional enough snooker for you?

I am a snooker fan yes, but I do find it hard to watch other matches if I been involved in that tournament. I read some of the blogs from time to time.

Did You watch the world final, Ronnie vs Selby? How do you feel about the match?

Did I watch the final? I can politely say NO to that question. I think I watched a repeat of teletubbies......


Do you have a coach or a mentor? I know You´ve been working with Stephen Feeney?

I´ve been working with Stephen Feeney for around two years now. His sight right technology has been something that has helped me. It's been revelation to me how good he is as a coach. During this period it was the best choice I ever made so far in my career working with him. But I would also like to thank Del Hill, my former coach, he is a fantastic coach and I owe him for all the help he gave me until I met Stephen.


If you´d be allowed to play only one match ever again, who would it be against, where would it take place, and who would be the referee? Why?

That's a really tough question. I would have to choose 2010 World Champs and be 11-5 up again against Neil Robertson. Having learnt from the experience I know I can finish the job now, so it would be me against Neil and Oli Marteel as ref at the Crucible and a packed audience watching.


What is the most enjoyable memory from your pro-snooker career so far? Is there anything you´d like to forget?

I would like to forget between 2004/5 until late 2006/7 as I wasn't even playing snooker. I had given up the game and had thought I would never play again. Not many people know the problems on a personal level that I went through. Since 2007/8 I have enjoyed every moment of my career whether it was highs or lows. I am lucky I get to do this for a living, I get to see many countries, meet lots of great fans everyday. But winning tournaments is always the highlight of anyone's career and I've been good enough to win 4 so far and Im aiming to win a few more as time goes on.



CuePower Snookerblog would like to thank Martin Gould for this interview. It´s been a privilege.

You can fallow Martin Gould on twitter @gouldyballs147
Also on Facebook - Martin Gould

Mark Allen at Blackpool: "My performances have been way below par."

Mark Allen interview for Cue Power Snookerblog, 25.1.2014.

 

1. All the players always say they enjoy the Shoot-Out. Is it the atmosphere, or is it because the format and the rules are different than in traditional snooker?

It has a bit of everything, you have to come here and not take it too seriously and try to have some fun. In the first year I didn't know what to expect in my first match and I took it too seriously. Now I handle it better. It's a one off event and anything can happen.


2. The crowd tends to get a bit loud in Shoot-Out, does that make things more difficult for a player? Does it make the game more enjoyable when the crowd get involved, or does it make the situation more stressful?

It is difficult and we're not used to it, but it's only once a year for ten minutes so we can adapt. I would not fancy playing in that kind of atmosphere for my livelihood in the big events.


3. Neil Robertson said he won´t be playing, because he doesn´t like the atmosphere, and feels Shoot-Out is "crass, a lottery over one frame and players have to act like clowns" (eurosport.com, 15.1.2014). Do You feel it´s "a crass lottery"?

I agree with Neil but I like it for that reason. It gives the crowd something different and you see new faces in the final stages, like Martin Gould. It's good for the sport as long as it's just once a year.


4. You are nicknamed "The Pistol" which I think describes you as a player very well: very fast and entertaining. Does this kind of quick snooker with shot clock suit The Pistol particularly well?

It suits the quick thinkers but at the same time you don't have to do much wrong to lose. It does favour the faster players but that doesn't mean they will win because each match is just ten minutes.


5. You´ve had a decent season so far, couple of PTC-trophies, beaten some top-players, quarters at UK Championship. How do You see it, and what kind of targets have you set for youself for the rest of the season?

My results have been ok and I have more or less kept my ranking position. But my performances have been way below par. I didn't even play that well in the two events I won, and in the major events I have been poor. It needs to improve but all I can do is keep putting the work in and wait for the results.

Thank you and thanks to all of the snooker fans in Finland for your support!

***

Cue Power Snookerblog would like to thank Mark Allen for the interview. Also big thanks to World Snooker / Ivan Hirschowitz, for support and help. 

Stuart Bingham to Cue Power Snookerblog: ”I´ve learnt a lot every time I play”

Stuart Binghman is one of the hottest pro-snooker players right now. It´s been a great month for him: Champion of Champions runner-up and semi-final in UK Champs. Bingham was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions from Cue Power Snookerblog, and from enthusiastic Finnish snooker fans. 

1. You are not an old player, but you´re no rookie either having played as a professional since 1995. Still, your career seems to have somewhat of an upward trend. You´re getting more and more success as you get older, last season was probably your best one ever, and the current season is starting to look really strong as well. How do you feel about this, how do you explain this?

Yes, the last couple of years have been the best of my snooker career and I think there's a number of reasons why. A happy and content life off the table, im married now and have 2 kids, a 10 year old step-daughter and a 2 year old son. 3 years ago I started to work with Stephen Feeney (SightRight) and my game has come on leaps and bounds. I'm so much more accurate and more disciplined with my snooker. The last and not least, experience. The years have gone by but i've learnt a lot every time I play.

The last couple of weeks have been good for me, final of Champions of Champions and semi final of the UK Championships but I did set a few goals this season and still haven't reached all of them yet. Of course, I want to win another tournament this season (preferably a ranking event) but if it isn't I wouldn't moan! Also try and get into the top 4 or 5 in the world.


2. How much do you practice these days?

I still practice a little in between tournaments but not as much as I use to. Most probably a couple of hours a day on my own or a couple of best of 9s playing someone else.


3. Tell us a little bit about how you practice. What kind of practice routines do you have? Have the routines changed over the years? Who do you practice with?

Still do the line up (most common practice routine) and some other routines but mostly practicing on my break building and some safety routines. My routines have changed slightly but try to get situations like I'd get in a match.

I've always had good players to practice with coming from Essex, I use to practice with Ronnie but haven't done for a few years now and Steve Davis but these days I practice with Mark King, Barry Hawkins, Gerrard Greene, Matt Selt. Allan Taylor is new on the tour and has moved down from Liverpool and practices at the same club so I'm trying to teach him how hard the tour is, he's a good player but has a lot to learn.


4. The pro-tour has changed a lot over the years, especially since the 90´s. Barry Hearn is in charge, there´s a lot more tournaments now, and many of them are being played outside the Britain. Also, there is a constant flow of new talented players coming out of many corners of the earth. Has the atmosphere on the tour changed as much as one might think? Is it better to be a pro-player now than what it was in the 90´s and 2000´s?

I wish I was 20 again with the tour the way it is! I love the tour the way it is these days, I was always entering tournaments in Europe just to keep playing but there's no need now with the way the tour is. The players that have been at the top of the game for years are not too happy with the schedule of todays game because we're away all the time but I don't mind it! I'm envy of the new talented guys coming on the tour.


5. We have a Finnish pro-player again on the tour, Robin Hull, who is trying to make a serious comeback after a difficult patch in his life. Do you know Robin? I know you were supposed to play against him in the International Championship, but that didn´t happen...

I've known Robin from the amateur days and I rate him very highly. I played him a few times as a pro and he's hardly missed a ball against me! (laughing)
Sometimes I see his results against other players and think “how has he lost to him”!
He's had a tough time with his health but hopefully thats all better and he can get back to where he was in the top 32!


6. As a father of two childen, im always interested to know how easy/difficult it is to find the balance between all the travelling, practice and family life? Life must get quite hectic at times for a snooker professional?

Yes, its very hard but at the end of the day this is my job! All I can say it thank God for FaceTime because I can see and speak to my family everyday where every I am in the world! I still practice most days but only a little so I can spend more time with the family.


In addition, few questions from my readers: 

Nickname RZ asked:
In your opinion, is there a lot of difference in technical talent between ranking 1-32 players?
No, I don't think there's a lot of difference in technical talent between the top 32.
 
- If not, what is it down to (ie. mental stability less feeling, killer instinct a lot of feeling...)?
I think it comes down to mental ability and believing that you can actually win a tournament. I always believed that I was good enough to win something but until you do, you don't know for sure!

- After almost 20 professional years of playing, do you still play "for fun"?
I still love the game! I love practicing and I always seem to play my best when I'm enjoying it!

  - When you are closing in on frame ball, does it raise any feelings for you?
Yes, I still get nervous or the adrenaline starts pumping. I think I'll always be the same.


Nickname Kirja asked:
Who do You think are the most promising/talented junior up and coming players?

There's a load of Chinese players coming through that are very talented, to many to name! But the ones that are doing well now are the likes of Jack Lisowski, Michael White, Luca Brecel.


Nickname Patrik Asked:
- Do You have a mentor or a coach? Do You speak with him during the long games?

My coach is Stephen Feeney (SightRight) and been working with him for about 3 years. He's at most of my games and yes, we talk in between games. I also talk to my manager (Gary Purkiss) who I've been with since turning pro. He normally gives me a kick up the backside if I'm not performing well! ;-)

Robin Hull Snookerblogin haastattelussa: "Halu päästä kilpailemaan on todella kova"

Robin Hull. Kuva: Global-snooker.com

Cue Power - Snookerblogi sai ilokseen ja kunniakseen mahdollisuuden haastatella Suomen kaikkien aikojen kovinta snookerpelaajaa, Robin Hullia. Kohtelias kotimainen snookerlegenda vastasi kärsivällisesti, huolellisesti ja huumorillakin Snookerblogin kysymyksiin, kertoen mm. tuoreista MM-karsinnoista, tulevaisuuden suunnitelmistaan ja treenikuvioistaan. Hull antoi myös omat veikkauksensa tulevan MM-turnauksen menestyjistä.

Suomalaisille snookerin ystäville Robinia ei tarvitse esitellä. Sittenkin on hyvä muistuttaa, että Robin ei ole kova tekijä pelkästään omalla maaperällään vaan kansainvälistäkin menestystä on tullut enemmän kuin suurimmalle osalle suomalaisista urheilijoista omissa lajeissaan. Hänen saavutuksiinsa kuuluu muunmuassa alle 21-vuotiaiden maailmanmestaruus (1992), Euroopan mestaruus (1997), 16 kautta ammattilaisena snookerin main tourilla ja parhaimmillaan hän oli rankinglistoilla sijalla 31.

Myös breakbuildingin suhteen Robin voi olla ylpeä saavutuksistaan: hän on saavuttanut tähän mennessä urallaan 115 kappaletta yli 100 pisteen lyöntisarjaa, joka asettaa hänet kaikkien aikojen listalla sijalle 34. Taakse jää niinkin kovia tekijöitä, kuin Mark Davis, Paul Hunter, Darren Morgan, Ricky Walden ja Jamie Cope.

Kuinka moni suomalainen urheilija voi sanoa päässeensä omassa lajissaan koskaan tälle tasolle? Kaiken kaikkiaan Robin Hullia voi jo nyt sanoa suomalaiseksi lajin kiistattomaksi hallitsijaksi, oman lajinsa yksinäiseksi sudeksi, suomalaiseksi pioneeriksi. Eikä ura ole vielä paketissa, vaikka viime viikolla pelatut MM-kisojen esikarsinnat eivät täysin putkeen menneetkään.

"Karsinnat tulivat ja menivät", toteaa Hull kärsivällisesti. "Tavoitteena oli tietenkin karsintojen läpäisy, mutta sain irti kuitenkin arvokasta infoa liittyen omaan peliin ja fiilikseen kilpailla."

Mikä on snooker-urasi tilanne tällä hetkellä? Onko aktiivinen pelaaminen main tourilla edelleen tavoitteena?

Tilanne on vielä tällä hetkellä pikkuisen ilmassa. Pelaaminen on tietenkin sydäntä lähellä ja halu päästä kilpailemaan todella kova, kovempi kuin koskaan voisi sanoa, olen aina ollu vähän hukassa ellei ole biliskeppiä kädessä.
     Realiteetti on eri asia, tällä hetkellä Qschooliin osallistuminen on niin ja näin. Asian vaikeus ei itseasiassa ole tour-kortin hankkimisessa, tietenkin siinä on haasteensa, sehän on selvä, mutta todellinen haaste on saada paketti kuntoon alkavaa kautta varten, mikä alkaa melkein heti Qschoolin jälkeen. Tällä tarkoitan tietenkin rahoitusta. Se on ainoa asia mitä pelkään, katsoa vierestä kun kisat rullaa ohi, eikä itse pääse mukaan rahoituksen takia. Se on kertaalleen koettu ja ei ole asia minkä haluan toistuvan. Kahden kauden kortti tuo tietenkin optioita eli voi jättää 1. kaudella ptc kisat väliin ja pelata vaan 'isot' ranking kisat. Kauden kiertäminen kokonaisuudessa täältä suomen kamaralta vaatii noin 22.000e, noiden isojen rankingkisojen noin 8000e. Fakta on, että mun kohdalla sponsorin saaminen on vaikeaa.
     Pelaaminen ja harjoittelu itsessään on hyvässä mallissa, kovien treenipelien puute on ainoa osa-alue mitä pitää parantaa jotta saa paketin lopulliseen kuntoon, siihen voi laskea myös kisamatsien pelaamisen. Lähitulevaisuus tulee kertomaan paljon mahdollisen kisauran aloittamisesta.

Minkälaisia tavoitteita olet asettanut itsellesi tulevaisuuteen liittyen uraasi snookerpelaajana?

Lyhyen ajan tavoite on päästä kilpailemaan maintourille. Sen jälkeiset tavoitteet pidän vielä itselläni, mutta siihen liittyy pärjäämistä kisoissa.

Snookerurasi on ollut vaikea sairastelun, sisäkorvan sairauden takia. Onko sairaus siinä määrin parantunut, että pystyt nykyään harjoittelemaan ja kilpailemaan täysillä?

Terveys on hyvällä mallilla. Ainoa jäänne on flimmeri (eteisvärinä,sydämen rytmihäiriö) minkä kanssa joudun taistelemaan joskus. En pidä sitä minkäänlaisena esteenä snookerin pelaamiselle, pelaa millä tasolla tai miten kovaa vaan. Pystyn ylläpitämään fyysistä kuntoani sekä pelikuntoani haluamallani tavalla. Rajoituksia ei sen suhteen ole.

Minkälaiset ovat treenimääräsi näinä päivinä? Tuleeko treenattua vielä yhtä paljon kuin joitakin vuosia sitten? Entäs treenirutiinit, minkälaisia ne ovat, ja ovatko treenirutiinit muuttuneet?

Neljän kuukauden ajan olen treenannut suhteellisen paljon ja tuloksia rupee nyt näkymään - vihdoin. En oikeastaan vuoden 05-06 jälkeen ole harjoitellut samaan malliin kuin nyt, siis määrällisesti.
     Viikon pöytäaika on siinä 40 tunnin kieppeillä tällä hetkellä, välillä enemmänkin. Intoa riittää. Rutiinit olen pitäny erittäin yksinkertaisina ja painottanut pre-shot rutiiniin, eli helppoja harjoituksia ja paljon toistoja jotta voi painottaa sitä pre-shottia enemmän. Olen yrittänyt nostaa pelitempoa myös joten hyvä valmistautuminen lyöntiin on avaintekijä. Rutiineja ei ole kuin vajaat 10 erilaista mikä on todella vähän, niistä puolet on erilaiset line-upit, muutama eri versio pitkistä lyönneistä ja pari seifti rutiinia mitä sitten ajan läpi.
   Kysyt varmaan onko se tylsää? No kyllä ja tarkoitus onkin että sitä henkistä terävyyttä vaaditaan jotta tulosta syntyy. No pain,no gain.

Teit viime joulun alla kotimaisessa rankingturnauksessa hurjan kilpasuorituksen, 147 maksimibreikin. Kuinka tavallisia maksimit ovat sinulla nykyään harjoitustilanteessa?

Niitähän on tullu nyt pari kisoissa mikä on aina mukavaa, piristävä lisämauste. Matsin voittaminen on kuitenkin tärkeintä. Eilen tuli treenimatsissa yksi, niitä tulee silloin tällöin, riippuu miten aggro moodi on päällä, niitä pitää kuitenkin aina hakea vähän. Eivät ne ole oleellisia freimin voittoa ajatellen.

Kenen kanssa harjoittelet? Löytyykö Suomesta niin hyviä pelaajia, että he voivat ”sparrata” sinua ammattilaispelejä silmällä pitäen?

Johannes Kauhasen kanssa harjoittelen, en paljoa muiden. Treenit menee suurimmaksi osaksi soolona. Maintour-pelejä ajatellen Suomesta ei saa treenipelien muodossa apua. Kehittyvien suomalaisten snookerpelaajien AINOA mahdollisuus saada kokemusta ja näkemys siitä mitä peli vaatii pärjäämiseen maintour tasolla, on päästä harjoittelemaan huippupelaajien kanssa. Jopa EM- tai MM-kisat amatööritasolla ovat kaukainen huuto siitä mitä peli vaatii oikeasti.

Mikä on mielestäsi suomalaisen snookerin nykytila, ja tulevaisuus? Onko näköpiirissä nuoria pelaajia, joista voisi kykyjen puolesta muotoutua tulevia ammattilaispelaajia?

Potentiaalisia pelaajia on, vaatii tietenkin koko paketin toteuttamista. Jotta näillä jätkillä olisi mitään saumaa niin britteihin niin kuin olisi jo, enkä tarkoita mitään parin viikon reissuja vaan niin että saa sen näkemyksen ja kovuuden mitkä on kisapelaajan peruspilarit. Siinä voi mennä useampi vuosi, itsellä meni 3-4 vuotta. Se on paljon pyydetty nuorelta kaverilta, mutta ainoa tapa omasta mielestäni. Toivon, että Suomesta löytyy kavereita ketkä ovat valmiita ottamaan tarpeelliset askeleet, sitä myötä on mahdollisuus pärjätä.

Olet kaikkien aikojen century breaks –tilastossa sijalla 34 (115 satasta 16 kaudessa, lähde: wikipedia), mikä on kerrassaan häkellyttävän hieno suoritus. Tuossa tilastossa taakse jäävät sellaiset nimet kuin Paul Hunter, Mark Davis, Ricky Walden ja Jamie Cope. Kuinka korkealle itse arvostat tällaista tilastokarkkia?

Ei merkitse mitään. Erän voitto tärkein aina, siihen riittää 70 pistettä ihan yhtä hyvin. Breakbuilding on yksi vahvimmista peliominaisuuksistani, joten ehkä sitä myötä niitä on tullut muutama.

Mikä on mielestäsi urasi tähän mennessä suurin saavutus?

Etten vetäny Mark Kingiä turpaan joskus UK Championship -turnauksessa matsin jälkeen, minkä hävisin 9-7. Hajotin kepin salkkuineen parkkipaikalla ja heitin pusikkoon. Suuri saavutus oli myös junnujen maailmanmestaruus, oli silloin nuorelle kollille iso juttu.

Riittääkö pelaamisen lisäksi intoa seurata ammattilais-snookeria esim. televisiosta, eli oletko edelleen ns. snookerfani?

Juu, olen fani sekä oppilas. Huippumatseista oppii aina jotain.

Onko sinulla edelleen ystäviä ammattilais-snookerpelaajien keskuudessa, pidätkö edelleen yhteyttä heihin?

Pidän yhteyttä kyllä, 4-5 kaverin kanssa juttelen vieläkin.

Ronnie O´Sullivan on pitänyt käytännössä vapaavuoden, mutta tulee virkavapaalta suoraan MM-turnaukseen puolustamaan titteliään. Minkälaisiksi arvioit Ronnien mahdollisuudet kauden suurimmassa turnauksessa?

Ronnie on aina mysteeri. Sen verran tiedän, että on pelannut näytösmatseja jonkun verran ja nyt sitten treenannut ahkerasti. Joutuu kovaan mediarumbaan, mikä voi olla kova paikka noinkin kokeneelle veturille pitää pelisilmä tarkkana. Ensimmäinen matsi kertoo paljon, toinen vielä enemmän koska silloin on odotettavissa, että vastaan tulee sijoitettu pelaaja. Sen jälkeen voi laskea, että ollaan takaisin normikaavassa. Yksi voittajaehdokkaista.

Aki Kauppinen on paljastanut, että olet ilmeisesti selostamassa jälleen MM-kilpailuja Eurosport –kanavalla. Selostatko aiempaan tapaan vain semifinaaleita ja finaalia, vai enemmänkin?

Kyllä, Aki Kauppisen vieraaksi menen. Finaali ja ainakin toinen semi on tiedossa.

Kenen toivot pärjäävän MM-kilpailuissa, eli henk. koht. suosikit ja veikkaukset menestyjistä?

Selbylle soisin voiton, kuten myös Ronnielle. On puhuttu siitä kuinka avoin kisa on tiedossa mutta totuus on, että pieni nippu pelaajia ratkaisee kenelle pytty menee. Selby, Robertson, Ding, Ronnie, Higgins - tuossa järjestyksessä mun suosikit.

Judd Trump on yksi nuorista snookertähdistä, joiden varaan lasketaan tulevaisuuden suhteen paljon snookerfanien keskuudessa. Mitä mieltä olet Trumpista ja hänen pelityylistään?

Todella viihdyttävä pelaaja, pelityyli ei anna paljon marginaalia sille miten hyvässä kunnossa pitää olla että pärjää. Epätasaisuutta on aina odotettavissa. Kehittyy vielä mikä ei tiedä muille pelaajille hyvää. Ehdottomasti yksi snookerin johtotähdistä ja persoonaltaan hyvä sellainen niinkin nuoreksi.

Takanasi – ja toivottavasti vielä edessäkin - on suomalaisittain vertaansa vailla oleva snooker-ura, johon on mahtunut paljon värikkäitä vaiheita. Oletko koskaan harkinnut kirjan kirjoittamista aiheesta, ts. omaelämänkertaa?

(Robin nauraa) Ei ole käyny mielessä. Kyllä tässä ollaan sen verran riviukon elämää eletty että en usko että siitä kirjaa saisi.

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Cue Power - Snookerblogi kiittää haastattelusta Robin Hullia, ja toivottaa menestystä ja ennen kaikkea onnea tulevaisuudelle. Kiitos myös Veikko Hannulalle avusta.