Neil Robertson Back To Full Fitness After Illness Frustrations Scupper Season So Far – Snooker Freaks

Neil Robertson is fit and firing again at the German Masters after a frustrating time with illness saw his hopes dashed at a string of big events.

The world number five went to the UK Championship and the Masters as one of the favourites but two separate bouts of illness made it impossible to find anything like top form and he fell early at both Triple Crown events.

Still recovering when he got to the World Grand Prix last month, the Australian again lost early on, so it has been a difficult time for him this season, although he has also reached three semi-finals at Home Nations events.

Those health problems are behind him now, though, and he is in Berlin hoping to win his first title of the season.

The 40-year-old beat Joe Perry in the last 32 to set up a last 16 clash with Shoot Out champion Chris Wakelin and he is itching to string a run of wins together after a very annoying time.

‘Nice to win and nice to be 100 per cent fit for once this year. Obviously the UK was hard, the Masters and Grand Prix was really difficult,’ Robertson said after beating Perry 5-3 on Thursday.

‘The first one at the UK was a really bad virus, similar to the flu but not quite as bad, but still almost impossible to play near 50 or 60 per cent.

‘Then the Masters, if it was any other event I would have pulled out, it was a mega struggle.

‘I was really happy with my application, gave it a really good go and won a few frames [losing 6-4 to Shaun Murphy], which I was really proud with myself about.

‘In those kind of situations you have to reflect on the positives and not bemoan your luck or anything, you’ve still got to try and fight, which I think I showed in the Masters.

‘I was still recovering at the Grand Prix, so it’s unfortunate to have it during a few massive events, but I’m not going to complain about my luck because last season things fell my way a few times, that’s just the way your career goes.

‘You’re going to have bad luck and it’s about taking advantage when things fall for you. I’m 100 per cent now which is really good and looking forward for the rest of the season.’

Having seen illness scupper his chances at the first two Triple Crown events of the season, Robertson is already turning his attention to the World Championship, which is now less than three months away.

One positive of his health troubles over the winter is that there will be no question of burnout from too much snooker when Sheffield rolls around, and the Aussie is feeling primed for a charge in the business end of the season.

‘There’s definitely not going to be any kind of thoughts or mention of that [burnout] at all, leading up to the World Championships, I feel great, I’m playing great in practice.

‘Everything’s all there, it will just be nice to string a few results together leading into the World Championships, which is the main focus now.’

Robertson takes on Wakelin at 1pm on Friday for a spot in the German Masters quarter-finals.

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