Masters Snooker 2025: Neil Robertson warns late entry makes him 'dangerous' after Ronnie O'Sullivan withdrawal
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Published 11/01/2025 at 17:43 GMT
Neil Robertson has branded himself a "dangerous" contender at the 2025 Masters, despite having only two days to prepare for his opening match against John Higgins. The former world champion was drafted in as a late replacement for Ronnie O'Sullivan on Friday, and gets underway on Sunday afternoon. "I have nothing to lose... that can always make someone very dangerous," Robertson said.
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Former world champion Neil Robertson has warned that a late entry into this year’s Masters makes him "very dangerous" as he comes in with "nothing to lose".
The Australian, who won his second Masters title as recently as 2022, was drafted in on Friday following the withdrawal of Ronnie O’Sullivan.
He enters a ferociously competitive field of 16 players and faces a huge task from the off when he takes on the legendary John Higgins in round one at Alexandra Palace.
But Robertson is backing himself to make a splash at the prestigious tournament, where he will take to the table at 1pm UK time on the opening afternoon on Sunday.
"I haven't had that much time to prepare, but I have been playing and I am ready to step in," Robertson told Talksport.
"I always believe I can win. The mindset is different, maybe the fact that I haven't been thinking about it for the last few weeks helps.
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"I have nothing to lose because I wasn't expecting to be in it. That can always make someone very dangerous.
"I am capable of going all the way, but I'm just so happy to be in it because you never want to miss out on the Masters."
Robertson claimed his only title of the season so far back in September at the English Open.
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But he has his eyes on a particularly special prize at the Masters, the second Triple Crown event of the season following the UK Championship and before the season-ending World Championship in April.
"It has the best atmosphere of any tournament and it's not even close, all the players say that," Robertson said.
"It's one table and over 2,000 people, and it's a tenacious crowd."
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Robertson has not faced Higgins in three years, but their last meeting was a memorable one.
Their 2022 Tour Championship final battle was a proud moment for the Australian, who mounted an extraordinary comeback from 9-4 down to win 10-9.
The Masters celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and boasts the likes of world No. 1 Judd Trump and world champion Kyren Wilson in a star-studded field.
All the action will be live on Eurosport and discovery+ from Sunday, January 12 to Sunday, January 19.
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Watch and stream the Masters live on Eurosport and discovery+.
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