10:09, 19 Oct 2025<\/p>\n
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Neil Robertson will miss the Northern Ireland Open(Image: VCG via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Former snooker<\/a> world champion Neil Robertson<\/a> has opened up about a severe health scare that left him bedridden after he contracted a brutal respiratory virus in China. Robertson, who won the 2010 championship at the Crucible, had been competing at the Xi’an Grand Prix, where he triumphed over Ishpreet Chadha in his first match but was later defeated by He Guoqiang.<\/p>\n The tournament itself was won by Mark Williams<\/a>, as he made history by becoming the oldest ranking title winner<\/a> in snooker with a hard-earned victory over Shaun Murphy<\/a> in the final. Attention now turns to the Northern Ireland Open, which begins on Sunday but Robertson will not be a part of.<\/p>\n Upon returning home from China, the Australian’s condition worsened to such an extent that he was forced to pull out of the Belfast competition. In a heartfelt social media post, Roberson assured his fans that he was on the path to recovery after enduring ‘one of the worst experiences’ of his life.<\/p>\n “Hey guys, after coming back from China I picked up a brutal respiratory virus in Xi’an that didn’t hit me until Sunday,” Robertson shared.<\/p>\n “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”, reports the Express<\/a>.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Stephen Lee breaks silence on snooker return after end of 12-year ban<\/a>READ MORE: Kyren Wilson reveals wife’s health battle and ‘torrid time’ off snooker table<\/a><\/p>\n “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. It’s the only home nation event I haven’t won so it was high on my agenda this season. It’s a shame to miss it but sadly had no choice.”<\/p>\n Robertson is widely considered one of snooker’s most iconic personalities as well as ranking amongst the finest talents of his era. He will be eager to make a swift recovery as he aims to return to competitive action in the forthcoming weeks.<\/p>\n The Melbourne native, who also triumphed at the World Grand Prix earlier this year, has recently adopted a new name following a prestigious accolade in his homeland. He received the distinguished Order of Australia<\/a> honour at the start of the year and was authorised to add the letters OAM after his complete name.<\/p>\n Huge Premier League kit & merch sale<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> Various<\/p>\n Fanatics<\/p>\n![\"Neil](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_Neil-Robertson-shared-a-worrying-health-update-to-his-social-media-followers.jpg\")
Robertson has not been well following the Xi’an Grand Prix(Image: GETTY)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_Untitled-8jpeg.jpg\")
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