Neil Robertson says Mark Williams offered him some nice words which many other players wouldn’t have managed after the epic 6-5 win over the Welshman in the semi-finals of the Masters on Saturday.
Williams had been leading 4-1 and 5-3, then left Robertson requiring two snookers in the deciding frame, but the Thunder from Down Under scrapped back from that position for the incredible victory.
The 46-year-old had the chance to be the oldest Masters finalist since Ray Reardon in 1983 and would have had the opportunity to become the oldest ever Masters winner, but the Australian pinched victory away from him at the death.
Despite what looked like the most painful of defeats, Robertson says Williams immediately offered him some kind words, which many others wouldn’t have mustered up in the situation.
‘He was clearly gutted but he just said: “Unbelievable match and all the best for the final.” He was fantastic in defeat, it’s tough, that is,’ said Robertson.
‘A lot of players would just kind of shake your hand and be off into the wilderness, which is also understandable. So for him to say those nice words was really nice.’
Williams is famously steadfast in defeat, rarely bothered by a loss, and even in this most brutal scenario, he remained unfussed.
‘Great game to be involved in, the atmosphere was great again and unfortunately I just lost,’ he said. ‘I’ve just lost a snooker match when it looked like I should have won it, I’ve got no grumbles.’
Speaking immediately after the victory, an emotional Robertson sent a message to any children watching to never give up, however bleak the situation looks.
‘Just never give up,’ said Robertson. ‘Never ever give up, any kids out there watching this, anyone, it doesn’t matter how it looks.
‘It’s so special about both of us coming out to the decider there, everyone on their feet, standing ovation. To have a match that finishes like that, you’ll probably never see anything like that again in the sport. It’s going to take some hours to sink in.’
He added in the post-match press conference: ‘It wasn’t really tears. The whole match was fantastic, it had everything. If you wanted to script a semi-final here at the Masters, that’s exactly how you’d want it to go.
‘I’ve been in the game a long time, Mark has as well, and I think we could both say we’ve never experienced anything like that as a player or somebody just watching, it was incredible.’
Robertson will face either Judd Trump or Barry Hawkins in the final on Sunday.
MORE : Mark Williams unfazed by brutal Neil Robertson Masters defeat: ‘Do I look like I’m bothered?’
MORE : Neil Robertson battles back to edge Mark Williams in Masters semi-final thriller
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