SHEFFIELD: Former snooker world champion Neil Robertson has admitted an addiction to computer games had an effect on his form and personal life.
The 35-year-old Australian, winner at the Crucible in 2010, says an addiction to games such as World of Warcraft, FIFA and League of Legends took his focus away from the table and his form suffered as a result.
"In the past, I've been staying up and playing it," he told Eurosport.
"Then all of a sudden, it is 6am, the birds are tweeting and I'm thinking: 'Oh my God, I've got to get up in a couple of hours to take my son Alexander to school. Then I've got to practice'."
Former world champion Neil Robertson.Credit: Getty Images
Robertson, the world No.7 is 8-1 up in his first-round World Championship match against Thailand's Noppon Saengkham but has had to give up online gaming after spending up to eight hours a day glued to his computer screen, which left him too tired to practice.
"Mille (Robertson's partner) absolutely hates it. League of Legends is banned in my house and rightly so. It is just awful," the Melburnian said.
"If you are a single guy and work in a normal job you can get around it.
"But you can't win professional snooker matches when you are tired."
Addictive: World of Warcraft.
Robertson, who turned professional as a 17-year-old, has won more than $5.5 million in prize money.
"The years I had the 100 centuries, I should probably had around 120 because I got addicted like hell to FIFA 14," Robertson said.
"That really affected the second half of my season.
"I wouldn't say I would have won a lot more tournaments if it wasn't for video games but I think I would have given myself more opportunities to go further in other events."
PA