Rob Milkins: ‘I don’t really live my life like a normal snooker player’

It was a low point, but since then there has been a string of highs and refocussing on his game after Turkey has paid off.

‘I’ve just hit a purple patch,’ Milkins told Metro.co.uk. ‘Without being big headed I’ve always known my capabilities, but I don’t really live my life like a normal snooker player.

‘I’ve gone off the rails a few times, messed about, done this, done that. If things would have been different in life I could have done better, but that’s all in the past and I wouldn’t want to change anything anyway, because I’ve had a great life. I am playing as well now as ever.’

With his Welsh Open victory this season Milkins also pocketed the Bet Victor bonus, worth £150,000, on top of the £80,000 first prize.

It has been an amazing time for the Milkman’s float, but it has not changed anything just yet, with snooker enjoying all his attention.

‘I’ll worry about finances after the Worlds,’ he said. ‘I’ll have a lot of time to think after the Worlds, but I just want to keep playing, I don’t really want the time off.

‘Probably every year by the World Championships I want to put the cue away, but I don’t really want to do that anymore. Maybe it’s being at the Crucible as well, it’s a big boost.’

Waiting for him in Sheffield is an old foe Joe Perry, with the pair first meeting way back in 1997 and the Gentleman holding an impressive 13-2 record against his old pal, in all competitions.

Milkins feels he is a different proposition now, though, with the belief and confidence that has come with his two titles.

‘Joe’s beaten me loads of times, he’s got such a good record against me, probably why he calls me his favourite player,’ he said.

‘But he’s not played me recently. Previously when I’ve played him I haven’t really believed in myself, I’ve got a bit of belief now. Joe’s a class player, it could go either way that game, but I’m looking forward to it, Joe’s a good friend of mine.’

Asked whether he will be a scarier prospect for his opponents these days, he said: ‘Maybe I’m not a different player for them, but I am for me, that’s the most important thing.

‘I feel like I’m actually a player. I’ve spent so many years getting down on the shot, questioning myself. I’ve played players here before and I’m thinking, “please don’t miss because I don’t want to make myself look silly.”

‘That normally only happens against Ronnie, to tell you the truth, but that won’t be happening now. I’m going to be well up for it.’

A very popular player on tour, Milkins’ recent success has gone down very well with fellow players and fans alike, delighted for someone who has been plugging away for nearly 30 years and enjoying the best time of his career.

The well-wishes have not gone unnoticed by the Milkman, who has been moved by some gestures he has received.

‘I can’t believe how popular it has been,’ he said. ‘Even recently at the WST Classic, I turned up and I had players coming up hugging me. All sorts of players, people I talk to but I wouldn’t really expect it from. It was nice and quite touching really.

‘When people come up to me, wherever it is, I don’t really like speaking about snooker and don’t like people bigging me up, that’s just the way I am, I sort of cringe a bit. But when players are doing it…like recently, Mark Allen, Anthony McGill, Anthony Hamilton, these players gave me very special words and hugs, it meant a lot to me.’

Milkins has never been past the second round at the Crucible, but he has never been there with the belief with which he now arrives. So can he go all the way and win the world title?

‘I don’t know, probably, nobody thought I could win the Welsh but this is something different,’ he said. ‘You’re playing against the top players in the world, lots and lots of frames. But I’ll be honest, if my A game is there I’ll beat anyone on my day, best of 9 or best of 35.

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