The German Masters returned to Berlin, the Chinese legion attacked many people, and big names such as Selby, Trump, and Robertson gathered again. Kuaishou "Star Club" broadcast the German Masters live from January 26 to 30, and the snooker feast before the Spring Festival, so stay tuned!
With the confidence inspired by the Masters victory, Robertson is trying to win the German Masters for the first time this week. At the same time, he has set his sights on the World Championships three months later...
Neil, looking back at your victory at Alexandra Palace, where would you put it among the many wins of your career?
"Absolutely important. I think it's because I've lost two finals before, and I don't want my Masters final record to turn into 1 win and 3 losses. At the same time, it would be nice to add another three-time champion. I won the British Championship last season and the Masters this year, which is great. I want to be consistent in the most important races. ”
"The most important thing is to seize the opportunity, you can't win the semi-final in the way I did and then lose the final, it will feel like a waste. Barry (Hawkins) was a little tired after playing the semi-final with Judd (Trump) and he made a few mistakes in the first stage and I took a 5-3 lead. I felt good at the time, thinking I had played the best snooker and taken away the game. The bench is an important reason why I win. ”
Your semi-final with Williams will be remembered for a long time, and you will have to reverse the game 6-5 in the decider with two snookers. You said in a post-match interview that you hope that people who watch this game understand that they should never give up on their efforts. How important is it to you to motivate others with performance?
I think that's what I learned after I became a father. You always want to be the best role model for your children. I probably played that role in media interviews as well. I know a lot of kids watching snooker. Alexander's (Robertson's son) friends at school often told me he would watch my game. I think it's important that you inspire people all the time, and you show really good qualities in the process. That's why Paul Hunt is so beloved. If you're in the spotlight, it's important to never give up in the face of adversity. I think it sends a positive message to all those who follow the game.
There are people around who don't pay much attention to snooker and messages about this semi-final. They said they had watched the tiebreaker intently. I think the audience also played a huge role, they made the game look very attractive. When you open a sports game and see a huge and noisy audience enjoying it, you will feel that the game is somewhat interesting. Both semi-finals of the Masters showcased the brilliance of snooker, and I believe Snooker Sports has won a large number of fans because of these two semi-finals. Another important factor is that the game is played in the right way. Players need to understand this. If you're a low-ranking player and need to worry about making a living, I can understand that you need to have a different way of playing. However, a tournament in which the top 16 players participate needs to be played in a suitable manner. All the Masters matches are played quickly, aggressively and pleasing to the eye.
You also said that players play in front of so many spectators and either collapse or explode. What part of your personality helps you navigate the big picture?
Great players love to play in front of these spectators. Some people may really be frightened, and if there is an accidental mistake, a player like me or Williams can immediately forget about it, but not many people can do that, and they will feel a little embarrassed. I've always loved playing in front of the audience, playing in big scenes, and to be honest there's no special formula or solution, it comes from within you, depending on how you play under absolute pressure.
Look at how well WST has done in the complex times of the pandemic. Fans are willing to come and support the game. We gain rather than decrease our fans, which is great. We need to lower our expectations because this is masters. We can't expect all the games to be packed overnight, but as long as the big game continues to evolve and the small events go in the right direction, there will be more events that make players feel unique.
This week's German Masters is the first tournament to be held outside the UK since the 2020 Gibraltar Open. How important do you think the return of the Snooker Tour to the globe is?
Hopefully this is the starting point for us to re-explore the world. It couldn't have been better to start with this event. Going to Germany really excites me, the atmosphere in Tempdu is incredibly good and every player loves it. I hope the audience supports this race and is willing to come back. It was packed and the best experience for the players.
After the 2020 German Masters semi-finals, you said in an interview that you were like Russell Crowe (Australian actor, "Gladiator" male protagonist) in the movie Gladiator. He retweeted your interview on social media and wished you good luck with the final. How surprised were you at the time?
It's cool, I took a screenshot immediately. Gladiator is one of my favorite movies, and it's great to hear from him. It's also interesting to see what you say spread and get celebrities' attention. I think Gladiator should be the first five in film history, and people always mention it when they talk about best movies. I always think of Gladiator and The Shawshank Redemption. In Tempdu, you will have the feeling of a gladiator, with all the fans surrounding you and all eyes staring at you. Played here very much.
As you all know, you haven't won the World Championship since 2010? Will the World Championships be the focus of your second half of the season?
I already have plans to prepare for the World Championships. The day after the Masters I started planning to make the best preparations for the World Championships. I have gathered the best team in my mind to help me. This time I'm not going to wait two weeks before the game to book the fifth best hotel in my mind. I will be all prepared in advance. This year I'm going to take a good punch. I felt like I was doing my best.
Robertson will play Wharton at 3am tomorrow.