Neil Robertson 'nearly withdrew' from Tour Championship as World Championship fears raised

has admitted he nearly withdrew from the Tour Championship after suffering from illness this week. The snooker star was thumped 10-1 by in the quarter-finals after he "coughed up all sorts" before the match.

Robertson has enjoyed a decent start to 2025 and landed the World Grand Prix title in March after whitewashing Stuart Bingham 10-0 in the final. He is among the favourites to win the at the Crucible, which gets underway later this month, but faces a race against time to return to full health ahead of the event.

Robertson trailed Selby 7-1 after the first day of their quarter-final showdown in Manchester on Wednesday. And he was far from his best when the match resumed on Thursday as Selby breezed through the final three frames.

Robertson took to to shine a light on his health woes on Friday morning as he addressed his followers.

And the 43-year-old explained: "Quick one from me guys as last night World Snooker didn't ask me for an interview so there were a lot more questions than answers my way this morning.

"On my way up to Manchester had small symptoms of the virus my son had last week (thought I had avoided it). 1st session scoreline could have happened EVEN IF I WAS 100%.

"Was a freak session where 4-4 would have been right, I played 'ok' but that night I never slept, coughed up all sorts and the symptoms got worse.

"I spent all day in bed then chugged some tablets down and finished the match. Thought about withdrawing but not sure that would have been fair on Mark who deserved to compete (sic) the match. Going to spend a day or 2 in bed and rest up for the Worlds. See you in a couple of weeks."

Robertson will be aiming to get plenty of rest before the start of the World Championship to ensure he can make a full recovery for the tournament. The Australian tasted success at the Crucible back in 2010 after overcoming Graeme Dott in the final.

He has since reached five quarter-finals and one semi-final in Sheffield but has been knocked out in the second round during his last two visits to the venue.

And last year he failed to qualify for the tournament after losing during qualifying.

The potter for this year's edition of the World Championship, however, with the first round draw scheduled for Thursday, April 17 before the tournament gets underway two days later.