Australian snooker ace Neil Robertson claimed his mother was the secret to his latest triumph in the UK Championship.
World No.1 Robertson beat Mark Selby 10-7 in the final at York's Barbican Centre on Sunday to add the prestigious title to an impressive CV that already includes victory in the 2010 World Championships and the 2012 Masters.
The 31-year-old from Melbourne is only the eighth player to win all three of the sport's major titles and the first from outside Britain.
Robertson's mother Alison was watching from the stands in York, and he acknowledged the sacrifices she and the rest of his family made when he embarked on his career.
Robertson relocated to Cambridge in eastern England 10 years ago with just enough money to buy a waistcoat and begin entering events on the professional tour.
He said of Alison's support: "She really is a fantastic mum, she hasn't done it easy raising myself and my brother.
"She's worked so hard, as well as her partner Chris, to help with my career.
"When I came over in '03 to Cambridge they helped me so much, along with my father. Without their support I probably wouldn't be here."
His early financial worries are a thing of the past and with a STG150,000 ($A270,000) payday for his latest success, Robertson plans to treat his mother.
"She's been fantastic support all week and I'm sure she'll get some nice Christmas presents now," he said.
Alison's one previous trip to Britain to see her son play was to the Crucible in 2010.
And with her 'lucky charm' status seemingly established, Robertson joked he will have to keep her in the country until January's Masters.
"I was thinking that, she'll have to stay on for a month or so," he said.
"It's possibly a tournament she'll come to, maybe not this season but next year."
