Robert Milkins: Gibraltar Open champ 'absolutely devastated' by his drunken antics before the Turkish Masters

ByEurosport

Updated 01/04/2022 at 12:44 GMT

The last few months have been an emotional rollercoaster for Robert Milkins. After a controversial trip to the Turkish Masters last month where he ended up in hospital to have his stomach pumped, 'The Milkman' has since gone to win his first title at the age of 46 in Gibraltar having begun his snooker career in 1995. Milkins says he was left "absolutely devastated" by what happened in Turkey.

Milkins seals title in stunning win over Wilson

Robert Milkins says he is "absolutely devastated" at the reaction to his drunken evening at the Turkish Masters in March.

The world No. 44 lost 5-4 to former UK holder Ding Junhui from 4-1 up at the inaugural event in Antalya, less than 48 hours after he was apparently rushed to hospital to have his stomach pumped due to excess boozing.

Reports claim Milkins – who is nicknamed 'The Milkman' and chooses 'I am a Cider Drinker' by The Worzels as his walk-on music – became involved in verbal exchanges with guests and WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson at the red-carpet opening ceremony at the Nirvana Cosmopolitan Hotel, which was hosting the tournament.

Gibraltar Open

Milkins on March: From scandal in Turkey to rock of Gibraltar after epic month

27/03/2022 at 20:54

Milkins has since won his first career title at the Gibraltar Open, beating Kyren Wilson in the final.

Having had time to reflect on his controversial night out in Turkey, he admits he did not expect such a fierce backlash.

"I’m absolutely devastated with what happened," he told The Metro.

"I still don’t really know what happened, I was completely out of it. It's been a bit tough and the worst of it all was when it got published. I was out of order, I hold my hands up, I’ve apologised to everyone and everyone seemed okay with me, but then it all escalated, it was everywhere.

"It was obviously bad, but I didn’t think someone 100 in the world on the one-year list getting drunk, falling over and being out of order would make the papers.

"I was devastated, but I can’t turn the clock back, I’ll just get on with it now and let my snooker do the talking.

"I woke up the next morning and didn’t have a clue what happened. When I was 20-21, I would go out, wake up the next morning, walk into the local and apologise before I even knew what happened.

"They’d be like, 'What you saying sorry for?' I just get total blackouts like that. They used to wind me up saying I’d done this and that when I hadn’t done anything. I don’t really do things like that anymore, so it’s a bit out of character and it would never have happened, I’d never have offended anyone if I’d known what I was doing.

"When it made the papers that was a punishment in itself, but I made a mistake, I was a bit gullible and I need to learn from my mistakes. Whatever my punishment is I’ll take it and move on."

'It is a dream come true' - Milkins on first career title

Milkins says he has had plenty of messages of support after the incident.

"People in the game have been brilliant after Turkey," he said.

"I’ve had messages, people phoning me up, it’s nice to know you’ve got people behind you in life.

"Some people I wouldn’t expect it from and it makes you feel wanted. I’ve had so many encouraging messages and then loads more after Gibraltar. I’m just happy, really."

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Gibraltar Open