NEIL Robertson is not one to rest on his laurels, as countless opponents over the past few seasons would testify.
Australia’s former world champion has taken every opportunity to better himself whether it be picking the brains of a legend, or setting new and challenging targets for himself.
By the standards of most players the 32-year-old Robertson has enjoyed a pretty successful last 12 months.
However in comments that reveal an insatiable appetite for success, Robertson insists that missing out on what could easily have been the season of his dreams has only made him hungrier for titles.
The current world No3 won the Wuxi Classic and UK titles last term, sealed the‘100 century breaks in a season’ at the Crucible, and was No1 for almost an entire season.
But Robertson still felt he could have won more – not least in Sheffield where eventual world champion Mark Selby edged a classic semi-final.
He also lost the finals of his home Australian Open, and the China Open in Beijing – but has an easier start to the new campaign.
Switzerland’s Alexander Ursenbacher could not get a visa for China – giving Robertson a bye into the last 32.
Robertson said: “Reflecting back on it, you don’t want to be greedy. There were the victories in York and Wuxi, the century of centuries and being No1 for a long unbroken spell.
“If you had offered me that at the start I would have taken it, but the way I played it could have been better and I could have won more.
“At the worlds I was playing as well as Ronnie O’Sullivan going into the semi-finals and it could have been an amazing season.
“You don’t deserve titles, you earn them, but a couple more I think would have been a fairer reflection.
“You take that slight frustration into this season, the UK was the last big title I won back last December. There will be no complacency and I am very hungry again.
“I am keen to improve more, there is so much more I want to do and win in the game despite my achievements. I want as many titles as I can get.
“I have been getting back into it for the Wuxi Classic, and it has been an enjoyable off-season with a little more time off.”
Photographs by Monique Limbos