Neil Robertson has revealed he “went berserk” at tournament officials during this year's British Open after the unusual scheduling left him frustrated. The former world champion, now 44, said he “let rip in the tournament office” over the late start times and practice table availability.
Late-night start and a 'chook raffle'
The tournament featured a random draw, and players in the evening session were only told their matches would not start before a certain time. Robertson and his opponent Pang Junxu were scheduled for an 8pm start at the earliest, but the preceding match between Chris Wakelin and Luca Brecel went the full distance. Wakelin came from behind to win 4-3, meaning Robertson and Pang did not walk out until after 10pm.
“I let rip in the tournament office. I went berserk,” Robertson told Metro. “It’s something that’s got to change in that event because that’s why I called it a chook raffle. A chook raffle in Australia is just a completely random event, it’s just chaos going on. Nobody knows what’s going on. One minute you think you’re going to be playing in 10 minutes and then the next thing it’s two hours later.”
Practice table frustrations
Robertson was also unhappy with the practice table situation. World Snooker Tour said one table was left available for players in the evening sessions, with others available to book at leisure. Robertson said he went hours without hitting a ball.
“I think half an hour is blocked out for players who are going on at 7pm and then once that has elapsed, then it’s just free game for a player who has booked,” he said. “I went in there and you can’t practice, so I went a few hours without even hitting a ball.”
Impact and next steps
Pang adjusted better to the wait and beat Robertson 4-1, then lost to English amateur Mark Joyce in the round of 32. Only four of the top 16 seeds reached the quarter-finals, with Mark Selby losing the final to 32nd seed Jak Jones. Robertson has since played two ranking tournaments, most recently reaching the round of 32 in Shenzhen.
World Snooker Tour said it discussed the issues with Robertson after his match and explained the reasons for the scheduling. “We always take the views of players on board and make changes where it is practical, for example we have added a morning session to the opening day of this event next season,” the organisation said.
