German Masters 2023: Neil Robertson fully recovered from illness – ‘Nice to be 100% for once this year!’

Neil Robertson says he is back to full fitness after illness hampered him last month at the Masters and World Grand Prix.

Robertson was clearly not well during his 6-4 defeat to Shaun Murphy at the Alexandra Palace and he also lost in a week later in the first round of the World Grand Prix to Xiao Guodong.

Having been ill at the UK Championship in November, as well as delaying the start of his season, Robertson is just 18th in the one-year ranking list but is the favourite to win this week’s German Masters with only four top 16 players in the draw.

He plays Shoot Out champion Chris Wakelin at 13:00 GMT in the last 16 on Friday in Berlin, live on Eurosport and discovery+.

“Obviously the UK [Championship] was hard, the Masters and Grand Prix was really difficult.

“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%.

“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, which I was really proud with myself about.”

Robertson needs to get into the top 16 of the one-year ranking list to qualify for the Players Championship, with the cut-off point taking place after the Welsh Open.

The Australian continued: “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% now which is really good and looking forward for the rest of the season.”

Robertson is aware of his relatively disappointing record at the World Championship since he won the title in 2010.

He has made the one-table setup just once in the last 12 years and says there can be no excuses of overplaying in the build-up to the Crucible this season, following his bouts of illness.

“There’s definitely not going to be any kind of thoughts or mention of that [burnout] at all, leading up to the World Championships,” said Robertson. “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.”

– – –