Neil Robertson Cites “Brutal” Respiratory Illness for Northern Ireland Open Withdrawal.

Neil Robertson Cites “Brutal” Respiratory Illness for Northern Ireland Open Withdrawal.

 

 

 

Snooker fans and tournament organisers were dealt a blow over the weekend as Australian star Neil Robertson confirmed he is withdrawing from the the 2025 Northern Ireland Open, revealing a “brutal respiratory virus” as the cause.

Robertson made the announcement on social media, writing:

> “After coming back from China I picked up a brutal respiratory virus in Xi’an that didn’t hit me until Sunday. It made breathing anything above 40 per cent a challenge and bed ridden for almost six days. I’ve never experienced anything like it and can quite honestly say it was one of the worst experiences I’ve gone through. I’m on the mend now but still quite a way to go, and for this reason I had no choice but to withdraw from Northern Ireland.”

He further explained that the illness struck in the days following his return from the Xi’an Grand Prix in China, where he had been competing.

The severity of the virus left Robertson bedridden for nearly six days, severely impairing his breathing capacity. He described efforts to breathe at more than 40 percent of his normal lung function as a struggle.

Because of the late timing of the withdrawal, Robertson’s scheduled first-round opponent, David Grace, was awarded a bye to the second round.

Significance & Context

For Robertson, the Northern Ireland Open represents more than just another tournament: it is the only Home Nations event he has never won. In a previous interview, he acknowledged the special incentive in Belfast as he attempted to complete the Home Nations “grand slam” of titles. His withdrawal thus carries emotional weight in addition to practical consequences.

Robertson has had a strong 2025 season, collecting titles such as the World Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters. But this illness places a major hurdle in his program, potentially disrupting momentum and conditioning.

From the tournament’s standpoint, losing a top-tier player like Robertson is a setback in terms of star power and narrative. It also reshuffles the draw, affecting matchups and expectations.

Repercussions & Outlook

In prioritising health, Robertson has taken what many observers view as the responsible route: rather than playing at reduced capacity (and risking further deterioration), he will step aside and recover fully. His description of this virus as among the worst he’s had underscores just how incapacitated he was.

Going forward, the crucial question is recovery speed and whether this health scare affects his participation in subsequent events. Robertson’s form and mental fortitude mean he has the ability to bounce back — but only if he allows himself the time needed to heal.

On the broader stage, the Northern Ireland Open continues without him, with other top names such as Judd Trump, Kyren Wilson, and Mark Selby now carrying greater expectations in his absence.