Neil Robertson compelled to apologize to Mark Selby for momentary lapse in snooker judgment.

At the 2022 Scottish Open, Australian snooker player Neil Robertson found himself in an amusing situation during his quarter-final match against Mark Selby. While dominating the early stages of the match at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh, Robertson’s focus slipped for a moment. After a stellar break of 133 in the first frame and potting the initial ball of the second, Robertson mistakenly sat in Selby’s chair as he awaited his turn. Realizing his mistake, he quickly apologized, prompting laughter from the audience before hurrying back to his own seat. Commentator Neal Foulds noted Robertson’s tendency for such absent-minded moments, despite praising his impressive start to the match.

Robertson surged to a 3-0 lead, but Selby responded strongly, securing two frames with breaks of 104 and 105. Nevertheless, Robertson regained his momentum, winning the final two frames to set up a semi-final meeting with Joe O’Connor. However, his journey ended there as he succumbed to a 6-3 loss to O’Connor. Ultimately, Gary Wilson claimed the tournament title, defeating O’Connor 9-2 in the final.

Despite not claiming victory at the Scottish Open, Robertson’s career remains distinguished, highlighted by his triumph in the 2017 edition of the event. Recently, his success over world No.1 Judd Trump at the German Masters showcased his enduring skill, which he partially credits to enhancements in his equipment. During his World Grand Prix match against David Gilbert, both Dominic Dale and TNT Sports commentator Philip Studd remarked on Robertson’s cue adjustments. Robertson excitedly attributed his recent form to new technological advancements in his cue, allowing him to execute shots he hadn’t in years. The precise changes remain unclear, but they seem to involve modifications to the cue’s butt, possibly affecting its weight and balance.

Dale speculated on the potential alterations, noting an absence of the usual shiny brass mini-butt socket under the cue’s butt. While the exact details of the technology remain a mystery, it’s clear that Robertson’s adjustments have positively impacted his performance.