Masters 2025: Neil Robertson Calls on O’Sullivan to Step Away and Revive His Love for Snooker

The 2025 Masters at Alexandra Palace began with a thrilling encounter between legendary Scot John Higgins and the 'Thunder from Down Under,' Neil Robertson. Both players, having won the prestigious event twice before, faced off in a match that would set the tone for the 8-day tournament. However, the circumstances leading to this clash were anything but typical.

Robertson's participation was confirmed only days earlier after defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew due to health reasons. He didn’t qualify automatically as he was outside the top 16 of the World Snooker Tour’s order of merit and was hence asked to fill the Rocket’s void due to his position as world rank 17 at the qualification cut-off. 

A Tale of Two Halves

The opening half of the match saw Higgins in commanding form. Robertson, evidently underprepared, managed to scrap for the first frame but struggled to find his rhythm. Higgins capitalised, producing five consecutive 50+ breaks, and leaving himself just one frame away from the quarterfinals with a 5-1 lead.

Although, the tide turned dramatically in the sixth frame. A revitalised Robertson emerged, offering Higgins no opportunities to regain control. The Australian’s flawless play from that point forward mirrored his famous 2022 Tour Championship final comeback against Higgins, where he overturned a 9-4 deficit to win six frames in a row and clinch the title. 

Remarkably, this was only the sixth time in the 50-year history of the Masters that a player had recovered from a 5-1 deficit to win 6-5.

Re-visiting History

After the match, Robertson reflected on his incredible comeback and drew parallels to a similar situation he faced in 2020 when Scotland’s Stephen Maguire overcame a 5-1 deficit to defeat him in the same tournament.

“It happened to me to Maguire, that didn't feel very good,” Robertson told SportsBoom.com. 

“That was different. I made a mess of that match. But John today, he won't be gutted in the sense that he kind of blew it. He didn't really get many chances. I think in the last frame there, he went into the pack when maybe he didn't have to, but apart from that, he didn't do much wrong.”

Robertson emphasised the psychological boost that comes with a comeback victory, noting that it often provides more satisfaction than a dominant win.

“You see it all the time, especially with the top players. They know that just feel amazing after something like that. Your opponents are fully aware of it. People can try and sort of block it out, but you're well aware that no lead is safe against certain players. I'm one of them I think.”

The "Free Hit" Mentality

Robertson’s late entry into the Masters seemed to play to his advantage. Without the typical pressure and buildup over the holiday period, he approached the tournament with a relaxed mindset.

“The Masters is the first event after the new year, so over Christmas you're thinking about it. Am I practising enough over the Christmas period? Am I prepared enough? And the anticipation and waiting for it can kind of really build you up,” he explained.

“So, the fact that I wasn't really expecting to play I think was actually really nice. I was still practising just in case. You just never know. But yeah, to get the call on Friday, I was buzzing. I felt as I had nothing to lose.”

On Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Absence

As mentioned, Robertson’s inclusion in the event came at the expense of O’Sullivan, who withdrew due to health reasons. While details surrounding O’Sullivan’s withdrawal remain unclear, Robertson expressed concern and offered advice for the seven-time world champion.

“I hope he is all right. From what I gather, I think he'd been talking to a couple of players, I think he was saying he wasn't sure if he was going to play and some of the guys in the championship league were talking to him there. Maybe they know more than I do.”

Robertson continued, “He is under so much pressure and people always expect so much of him. I feel as though that the whole game really, he feels the weight of that on his shoulders sometimes, and he's delivered for so many decades for us as players and fans, me speaking as a fan, what more can he give the game?”

The Australian suggested that O’Sullivan takes a break to rediscover his passion for the sport without the burden of expectations.

“So, I think it's important that if he wants to have just a little bit of time off and just rediscover the love for the game and don't force himself to enter everything, just take his time, maybe don't enter some events so it doesn't look like last minute withdrawals. Just say, I'm going to take the next couple of months off.”

A Dangerous Contender

Having "snuck in through the back door" of the Masters, Neil Robertson’s stunning victory over John Higgins now places him as one of the most dangerous players in the tournament. 

With his confidence boosted and the pressure off, the ‘Thunder from Down Under’ is poised to make a deep run in the competition. As the Masters progresses, his rivals would do well to heed his warning: no lead is safe against Neil Robertson.