Neil Robertson aims to mix World Championship with fatherhood (original) (raw)

The World Championship finalist Neil Robertson has been given an emotional boost by his pregnant girlfriend.

Robertson's Norwegian girlfriend, Mille, who is with her family in her home country, is expecting their child today.

"I didn't want to say too much, to take anything away from the tournament. Hopefully she can just hang on for a few days yet," Robertson said. "She's told me just to play and not worry about it too much. Being a first time, usually they're a little bit late.

"Every single part of my life right now is so exciting. We were talking about the due date, how wouldn't it be funny if I got to the final. Now it's happened, it's really strange.

"I haven't been thinking about it at all during my matches but it's obviously a fantastic time for me."

Robertson has made Cambridge his home since leaving Australia and he had strong support in today's final against the Scotsman Graeme Dott. His mother, Alison, set off from Melbourne when he led 15-9 against Ali Carter in his semi-final.

Although Robertson will try to freeze out all outside distractions, it could be difficult to focus if the news comes through that he has become a father.

"It [Norway] is not too far away from here, it's only about an hour on the plane, so that's OK. She's going to be coming to Cambridge when the baby's born, coming straight over.

"We haven't seen each other for a while but everybody's really buzzing at the moment. I just want to play this final as well as I can and just take it from there."