Neil Robertson on Wu Yize After English Open Final: “At His Age, I Was at the Job Centre”

Neil Robertson showed his grit at the 2024 English Open, withstanding a fierce fightback from Wu Yize to claim a 9-7 victory. 

The win marked Robertson’s first ranking title since 2022, breaking a two-year drought.

Despite his stature in the game, Robertson hadn’t lifted a ranking trophy since his victory at the 2022 Tour Championship, where he beat snooker legend John Higgins. 

Reflecting on his break from titles, Robertson said: “It doesn't feel like two years, I must admit.”

The final opened with Robertson taking a commanding 7-1 lead over Wu in the first session. But the evening session told a different story. Wu came out firing, turning the tables on Robertson with some incredible luck along the way.

“I almost played perfect snooker myself in the first session. But then I broke off tonight and he cleared the table,” Robertson told SportsBoom.com. 

He added, “I’ve only got two eyes and I’m trying to search for all six pockets. I looked like one of those creepy dolls with their eyes flying all over the place, because there was one fluke after another.”

Despite the mounting pressure, Robertson held his nerve, crediting his recent work with a sports psychologist for his composure in the final.

“When you get such a big lead it can go two ways. I just had to stick in there and take my chance when it came.”

“A lot of players wouldn’t have won that match from that position. It can put a player in a really bad state of mind.”

After his impressive performance in his first major final, Wu Yize has caught the attention of many in the snooker world, including Robertson.

“Being an overseas player myself, seeing a young Chinese player have these kind of qualities makes me really happy. We’re going to have a very, very special player for many years in the game,” said Robertson.

“When I played him at the World Championships, I said there was something special, I knew it was coming."

Image credit: World Snooker Tour (WST)

Robertson also acknowledged the difference in their journeys, sharing a light-hearted anecdote.

“When I was 21, I was at the job centre, and he’s 20 doing what he does. It just shows how different our paths have been to come to this stage.”

This win was particularly special for Robertson, as it was the first final his father had ever seen live. After over 20 years in the sport and 34 ranking titles, the Aussie was motivated to make the moment count.

“He was a big part of my motivation this week. This could be my last chance to win a tournament for him with him here,” Robertson commented.

“He’s a man of very few words and he didn’t seem too excited about things, but I’m sure he won’t shut up all the way home.”

Robertson’s son Alexander and his two best friends also added to the family atmosphere. The trio had been staying with Robertson all week, despite driving him a little mad.

“Alexander and his two best mates have been here with me all week. They’ve been driving me mad in the backseat on TikTok and all that. I’ve been trying to focus, and they’ve been acting like clowns all week,” joked Robertson.

“Jokes aside, they love the snooker, and they’ll put Eurosport on straightaway and watch it back. They love it where the camera panned to them in the crowd.”

“They have great prospects in rugby and football, but hopefully them coming here and seeing me win will inspire them. I’ve always had that in the back of mind, to give them something that they can want to achieve.”