Key Highlights
- Neil Robertson reveals a lasting impact from a message by Ronnie O’Sullivan after their match.
- O’Sullivan withdrew from the tournament due to medical reasons, leaving Robertson to face Chris Wakelin instead.
- The Australian has maintained his reputation as a role model in snooker, with Robertson praising his honesty and respect.
- Robertson shared an example of how O’Sullivan’s post-match comments after their 2010 World Open final influenced him positively.
The Impact of Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Message on Neil Robertson
Neil Robertson, the Australian snooker legend, has spoken about a significant moment in his career that left a lasting impression. This incident involves a message from Ronnie “The Rocket” O’Sullivan, one of the sport’s most decorated players, after their match at the Masters.
A Match Interrupted
Originally scheduled to face Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Masters on Wednesday evening, Neil Robertson had to contend with an unexpected twist. O’Sullivan withdrew from the tournament last week due to medical reasons, leaving Robertson to play Chris Wakelin instead. This unforeseen change brought attention back to a previous encounter between these two players that held a deeper meaning for Robertson.
Respect and Honesty
“It’s just respect,” Robertson told Metro, reflecting on his relationship with O’Sullivan. “It’s not hard.” He continued by explaining how O’Sullivan’s words after their 2010 World Open final match stuck with him. In that final, O’Sullivan had been the victor, but he still commended Robertson with such grace and courtesy that it left a lasting impression.
“He’s world champion and world number one, and he dispatched me like world champions and number ones do,” said O’Sullivan at the time. This sentiment resonated deeply with Robertson, who acknowledged how this act of respect affected his own behavior in losing tournaments.
Handling Runner-Down Moments
“Runner-up speeches are pretty tough,” admitted Robertson, but he shared that O’Sullivan’s post-match comments were a source of comfort. “He was so complimentary afterwards and I hadn’t actually lost a final yet but I always remembered, that actually made me feel really good.” This experience taught Robertson how to handle losing gracefully, something he later applied when he lost the Masters final to Shaun Murphy in 2015.
“I said like, ‘Welcome to the Triple Crown club.’ It would have been easy for me to be very dismissive of it. But that would have taken a lot of what Shaun had just achieved away,” explained Robertson. “It’s important to do that. It’s just respect.” This approach not only showed respect but also appreciated Murphy’s efforts, something Robertson feels is crucial in sports.
A Lifelong Friendship
Robertson and O’Sullivan have a friendly rivalry, with the Rocket often offering advice on the game. Robertson appreciates his friend’s straightforward nature and honesty, which he finds refreshing compared to the clichéd responses common in other sports interviews. “I can understand where he comes from with a lot of things,” said Robertson, acknowledging that his wife’s experiences with anxiety and depression have given him insight into O’Sullivan’s struggles.
Robertson has always backed O’Sullivan publicly, recognizing that while some may dig their heels in with the Rocket, he stands by his friend. “I think I can understand where he comes from with a lot of things,” Robertson concluded, highlighting his appreciation for the respect and honesty shown by O’Sullivan throughout their careers.
The relationship between Neil Robertson and Ronnie O’Sullivan illustrates the importance of mutual respect in sports. Their interactions highlight how even in competitive environments, one can uphold standards of decency and professionalism that benefit both players and fans alike.
