Snooker star Graeme Dott reveals personal problems have derailed season and says ‘it’s been tough’

GRAEME DOTT has revealed his season has been derailed by personal problems after a “terrible season”.

The snooker star has slipped to 54th in the world rankings and must come through three rounds of qualifying to reach the World Championships.

GettyGraeme Dott has revealed personal problems have derailed his season[/caption]

Former world champion Dott has lifted the lid on his struggles away from the table.

The Pocket Dynamo even admitted they had caused him to turn up to tournaments earlier in the season without practicing.

He told the Daily Record: “It’s been a terrible season for me. The results haven’t been good enough, I know that.

“I’ve had some things going on off the table, which I’d rather not divulge. But it’s been tough, it has been hard if I’m honest.

“There was a time where I just wasn’t able to practice because all of my focus was on that. My only practice was the 20 minutes you get at the venue and you can’t expect to get results like that.

“I’m managing it better now. I’m able to cope with it better and that has really helped me.

“I’ve been able to practice ahead of the qualifiers and I qualified for China so that’s given me a bit of confidence as well. I’m going to be taking each match as it comes and we’ll see where it takes me.”

Dott is a three-time finalist at the Crucible, winning in 2006, and has been ranked as high as second in the world.

Dott admitted ‘it’s been tough’ ahead of qualifying for the World ChampionshipsGetty – Contributor

However, he is taking part in qualifying for this month’s World Championships in Sheffield this week.

The 46-year-old will face Mostafa Dorgham in the second round of qualifying knowing he needs three wins to earn a spot in the main draw.

A win over the Egyptian will set up a clash with world number 43 Jackson Page this weekend.

If Dott can beat Page as well, he will then need to win one more match to take his place at the Crucible when the World Championships begin on April 20.