Jimmy Robertson has become one of the youngest ever players to win a place on the professional world tour.

Robertson, who turned 16 this month, qualified at the junior play-offs at Prestatyn, North Wales, last week.

The Bexhill prodigy said: "I'm very happy. It's what I've always dreamed about. Watch out for me on the telly!"

He defeated Kobkit Palajin (Thailand) 4-2, Gary Wilson (Newcastle) 4-3 and Fraser Patrick (Scotland) 5-3 to join Ronnie O'Sullivan, Peter Ebdon and company in the top 128.

Robertson said: "To tell people I'm a professional feels good. It's what I've wanted to do ever since I started as a nine-year-old."

He is undaunted about being the youngest player on next season's tour which begins in August.

He said: "It doesn't bother me because the minimum age for a professional is 16.

"My old coach Frank Sandell told me it doesn't matter how old you are. You play the balls, not the opponent.

"I look at Mark Selby, who is only 18, but last year he beat Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry. I've also beaten Mark in a one-frame round robin match. Everyone is beatable.

"What will help is my lack of nerves. I'm very lucky, because I don't get them. I don't know why. It's just the way I am.

"I have not got the characteristics of my old man because he paces around when I play. He can't stand to watch me because he gets so nervous."

Robertson, recent East Sussex runner-up and Eastbourne Open winner at senior level, views the step up to the professional ranks as the first stage of his snooker career. He must finish in the top 80 or first 16 of the 48 newcomers to maintain his place the following season.

He said: "To survive the first season will be hard, but it is not impossible. I think I can stay do it with lots of practice and fitness work. You have to be prepared for long matches. Look at the Embassy World Championship final between Ebdon and Hendry, it went to more than 30 frames.

"I go out for regular runs to build up my stamina. The images of Alex Higgins and Bill Werberniuk, who both enjoyed a drink, are gone. The likes of Ronnie and Peter Edbdon look after themselves. That's what I intend to do."

Robertson, sponsored by Q-Ball (Eastbourne) and Classic Racing (Eastbourne), will join fellow Bexhill player Mark Davis on the main tour.

But Robertson's move into the paid ranks means he misses the chance to captain England.

He helped England win the Home Under-17s International last September and was named skipper for this year's event.

He said: "It is an amateurs-only competition.

"I'd have been proud to captain my country.

"But given the choice of skippering England or playing on the main tour, I have gone for the professional option."

Robertson practices at O'Sullivan's in Bexhill and Q-Ball in Eastbourne.

He said: "I'll be working each day to give myself the best chance of making an impression on the tour. August isn't that far away."

Robertson, a recent winner of the Eastbourne Senior Open and holder of the UK Under-19s title, has taken advantage of the new fast-track system for promising juniors.

He will get an early taste of what to expect with an exhibition against former world champion Ken Doherty at O'Sullivan's in July.

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