After all, his triumph against Graeme Dott was more than two months ago.
While many of you may have expected the 'Thunder from Down Under' to have been home
safe and sound long ago to enjoy his success, the world number two only touched down in Sydney today.His arrival back on Aussie soil may be overdue, but he has plenty to be proud of after a very satisfying season that has seen him as the arguably the most consistent performer on the circuit, win his first world title and achieve his highest ever world ranking.
That would be enough for most - but there's something a bit special about Robertson. And there has to be, for him to have enjoyed so much success, so far from home.
The ambitious talent may have only just closed the lid on his last season, but he's already planning for his next.
And his number one goal in the 2010/11 season is to conquer the 'Crucible Curse'.
He said: "No world champion has ever defended it after winning it for the first time," he said.
"I've got a lot of hard work in front of me to try and break that curse. I've won the world title now and I know what it's all about, and it would be great to do it next year."
You just know this kind of statement from Robbo isn't a throw away comment. He is full-blooded, and means it.
But, words will only get you so far. All of the games greats have failed at this feat for a reason.
It may be called a 'curse'. But failure to achieve this doesn't come down to any mythical spell.
Simply, it hasn't been achieved because it's so difficult.
Unlike most other achievemnts within the game, you can't practice this one. You can't learn from your mistakes. You can't try, and try again. You get one chance only.
Sure, going into the challenge, you can take the confidence of having won the title just 12 months before. But fresh from your success in the previous year, other players want to beat you more.
Defeating the 'Crucible Curse' requires you to replicate your top form on the biggest stage but under much more pressure, with every player that stands in your way, desperate to take the scalp of you as reigning champion.
Not only are there players desperate to make their mark on the championship, but can you imagine O'Sullivan, Hendry, Higgins, Williams & co wanting you to acheive soemthing in the game, they haven't?
In fact, being world champion, adds pressure to more than just your return to Sheffield.
As world champion, you're there as the marker, there to beaten in every single match you play. You're the one player everyone wants to beat.
So, while Robertson should enjoy his success now he's finally home, sterner tests lie ahead next year for the Aussie.
Great to see a blog about snooker. I agree with most of what is said, Robertson has been extremely consistent this term. However, I don't think he will break the so-called crucible curse, as with snooker I think it is very hard to become completely dominant as you can in a team sport,like a man united, or like tennis, where gamnes don't change too much with one hit. In snooker, one pot, or one missed pot, and the game changes completely. Thats why there has been nobody completely dominant at the crucible. IMO
ReplyDeletePaul Smith
Peter Ebdon's number one fan
Ken Doherty's crucible win in 1997 is a truning point for me. Since then, no one player has dominated the world championships. John Higgins, Mark Williams and Ronnie O'Sullivan have threatened to but never delivered.This can only be a good thing for the game.
ReplyDeleteAs Paul says, Snooker can change with just one missed pot and I think that this is the main cause of the 'Crucible Curse.' When you win the title - people notice you more. It adds a lot of unwanted pressure and the more experienced players go that extra mile to be sure that there isn't a new name in Snooker that everybody is talking about rather than them - better yet, they want to be seen as 'the one who stopped them' from breaking the curse.
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