‘Mentally paid the price’ – Neil Robertson says ‘patience is key’ as he seeks best form after Wuhan Open exit

Robertson lost 5-3 to his English opponent in the second round of the tournament in China, meaning the 41-year-old Australian’s run without winning a tournament continues.

He did not lift a trophy at all last season, though at the Shanghai Masters last month he reached the semi-finals.

Last year the Australian elected to miss the Championship League in Leicester, as well as the European Masters in Germany, and the British Open in Milton Keynes.

Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, after his loss to Highfield, Robertson suggested that his struggles at the table of late are linked to homesickness, something that he hopes to remedy later this year.

He wrote: “I don’t normally do posts like this but just want to address my fans who are a bit confused with results.

“Everything is fine just missing Australia a bit and have a big trip planned towards the end of the year where I’ll miss the last few events. I should have gone last year after my best ever season and mentally paid the price.

“Nobody will know how hard it is being from the other side of the world (I don’t expect them too) in the blink of an eye your brothers who were your best friends are suddenly 20 years older as well as other family members.”

He continued: “It will be four years since I’ve seen them and can’t wait to go home it must be said.

“Like I say, everything is going great with practice and preparation and very much like the result today, over the past 12 months most of my opponents have played the match of their season/career.

“Big results are incoming but patience is the key.”