Category: Eurosport

Neil Robertson has revealed he spoke to Ronnie O’Sullivan after suggesting the snooker GOAT had been playing “pretty awful” in some tournaments this season.

O’Sullivan is enjoying one of the most productive campaigns of his 32-year career after winning the Shanghai Masters, UK Championship, Masters, World Grand Prix and Riyadh World Masters ahead of this month’s 48th World Championship in Sheffield (April 20 – May 6).

But Robertson admits he encountered some serious heat for suggesting O’Sullivan had not been playing well in the early part of some events.

“We’ve probably seen that with Ronnie recently, let’s have it right he’s played pretty awful, but he’s been able to keep winning because people keep missing blacks off the spot, pinks off the spot.

“He’s gained that reputation of being unbeatable this season even though he’s played awful.”

Robertson insists his opinion was taken out of context as he set the record straight during a discussion with O’Sullivan’s fellow seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry.

“I got slaughtered earlier in the season for saying Ronnie was playing awful in the tournaments early on,” said Robertson, who has dropped to 25th in the latest provisional rankings after starting the season as world No. 6. “It was a compliment, but a couple of papers ran with it saying I thought he was terrible which was nonsense.

“Actually to the point when I spoke to Ronnie, and I said you know what I’m saying, and he just laughed it off.

“He knew what I was saying. When you get to the semis and final, that’s when you really take the tournament on.”

Robertson will have to negotiate two qualifiers to reach the World Championship this year after dropping out of the world’s top 16 amid a form slump, but admits he was impressed by Mark Williams’ 10-5 win over O’Sullivan in the Tour Championship final on Sunday from 5-3 behind.

“Mark is the sort of character who will finish the job. He’s got the mentality to do that. There’s only a few in the game who can.”

‘Class of ’92’ icons O’Sullivan and Williams have claimed seven trophies between them this season with the Welshman also lifting the British Open.

John Higgins also remains inside the top 16 despite struggling for major silverware over the past two years.

Four-time world champion Robertson feels the secret to their ongoing success is the ability to adapt to conditions and handle the pressure.

“Ronnie refers to it a lot. There’s a lot of truth in it. When we all started playing, we all played in the clubs and the pro-ams,” said the Australian.

“We had to find ways to win when conditions weren’t playing great. You had to find ways to win. Those three have got an amazing ability to win matches when they are not playing particularly well.

“Those three have always been great at winning matches, winning deciders, clearing up from behind, sensing weakness in the opponent. They’ve always maintained that.

“Ronnie has stayed at the highest level consistently with John and Mark dipping in and out a bit, but they’ve always had that killer instinct to sense weakness in the opponent.

“I’ve heard John talk a bit negative recently. I thought he was unlucky two years ago when he lost five finals and reached the semi-finals of the World Championship.

“We just have to see how it runs its course, and next season could be different for him. Those three have been amazing to have played as long as they have. It’s remarkable really.”

Robertson admits he is not overly fussed to be forced to return to the qualifiers only two years after lifting the English Open, Masters, Players Championship and Tour Championship.

“Two years ago, I had that unbelievable season,” he said. “I won four massive titles, but then I mostly took five months off and over-enjoyed how great a season I had when everyone else is working hard.

“I completely butchered a few semi-finals. When you get content and satisfied, that’s what happened to me. Two years ago when I was winning tournaments, people make so many mistakes against you. They are so worried, and leave you in.

“This season, it hasn’t happened. I have to practice even harder. But my game is back in great shape,” said the Melbourne man after losing 6-5 to Ding Junhui in the sem-finals of the World Open last month.

“The good thing is it is the best of 19 frames, and they’ve done up the numbers one and two tables at the qualifiers like a venue. From a positive outlook, I’m treating it like two best-of-19 frame matches before the Crucible.

“I felt being a seed over the past four or five years is really dodgy. There’s a lot of guys you don’t want to be playing first round.”