Neil Robertson has revealed insights into his close relationship with Ronnie O’Sullivan, describing it as exceptionally meaningful. This revelation follows Robertson’s triumph over the seven-time world champion at the Saudi Arabia Masters, where he clinched the title in a tense 10-9 finale.

Despite a history of intense competitions on the snooker table, Robertson emphasized the deep bond and friendship he shares with O’Sullivan beyond their sporting rivalry. The 43-year-old highlighted O’Sullivan’s consistent support, mentioning that the ‘Rocket’ frequently encourages him to achieve more success in the sport.

Reflecting on his recent victory over O’Sullivan, Robertson expressed admiration for his opponent’s skills and acknowledged the challenging nature of the match. He described the final as one of the greatest in history, emphasizing the pressure and the satisfaction of emerging victorious from a tight 9-8 situation.

The intense showdown in Jeddah saw Robertson initially leading 7-2 before facing a remarkable comeback from O’Sullivan, who briefly took the lead at 9-8. However, Robertson managed to secure a thrilling 10-9 win, claiming a substantial £500,000 prize and climbing to third place in the world rankings, closely trailing Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson.

While Robertson’s prize money equaled that of the World Snooker Championship winner Zhao Xintong earlier in the year, O’Sullivan secured a commendable £200,000 as the runner-up. O’Sullivan is now turning his attention to the British Open qualification match against Lam Sanderson scheduled for Friday evening.