Snooker star Neil Robertson is riding high after a stunning return to form, but his coach Joe Perry has issued a stark warning against complacency. The Australian, known as the Thunder from Down Under, has soared back to world number three following his lucrative victory at the Saudi Arabia Masters in August, where he defeated Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final.
The Challenge of Staying Hungry
Perry, a two-time ranking event winner and long-time friend of Robertson, was brought in as a coach and mentor during the player's slump. The partnership has sparked a dramatic revival, reversing a decline that saw Robertson miss the 2024 World Championship and fall out of the top 20. Perry insists his role involves no technical tweaks for one of the sport's greatest cueists. Instead, his focus is purely on mindset. The key challenge now is maintaining Robertson's hunger after banking the £500,000 top prize in Jeddah and securing his ranking position.
"Initially it was easy because he was so keen to get back," Perry told Metro. "But now the challenge is maintaining that. He’s had such a good run and is secure for so long, it's about keeping him hungry and pushing on." Robertson acknowledges the risk, admitting Perry has been "cracking the whip" to ensure he remains motivated and well-prepared for every tournament.
Managing Schedule and Setbacks
Another point of discussion has been Robertson's tournament schedule. The 43-year-old has withdrawn from three events this season: the Wuhan Open, Northern Ireland Open, and Scottish Open. Perry confessed he is not entirely comfortable with the decisions, having never been in a position to pick and choose events during his own playing career. However, he trusts Robertson's judgement, noting the intense physical and mental toll of consistently reaching finals.
Robertson has provided clear reasons for each absence. A trip to Australia to receive an Order of Australia award (OAM) ruled out Wuhan, illness forced him out of Northern Ireland, and a golf-related injury to his sacroiliac joint sidelined him for Scotland. He vehemently dismissed any suggestion of giving up golf, a key part of his life outside snooker, despite the mishap.
Masters Showdown and Looking Ahead
The immediate focus is a blockbuster first-round match at the Masters. Robertson faces Ronnie O’Sullivan on Wednesday night at Alexandra Palace in what Perry describes as one of the most raucous atmospheres in snooker. The match comes after Robertson playfully referenced Australia's Ashes cricket dominance during his walk-on at the UK Championship, a move that preceded a semi-final loss to Judd Trump. Perry hopes cricket banter stays off the table this time, quipping, "Hopefully we can forget about the cricket."
With the business end of the season approaching, culminating in the World Championship, Perry's message is clear. The hard work continues to ensure Robertson's sharp form persists through the biggest events. For now, the Thunder from Down Under appears motivated, in form, and ready for another titanic clash with the Rocket.
