In 1996 at just 14 years of age, Neil Robertson became the youngest player ever to make a century break in an Australian ranking event. At 14 he also won the Under-18s Australian Snooker title. This was a sign of things to come.
By the age of 16, Neil had turned professional, and reached the Last 16 of the IBSF World Snooker Championship. Those who knew the game, started to take notice.
Unable to accumulate sufficient ranking points, and finding living abroad difficult, Neil dropped off the professional circuit and returned home to contemplate his future. He dominated the Australian snooker scene for several years with an unrivalled string of tournament victories and high breaks. But his desire to prove his talent against the world's best professionals continued to burn.
Neil re-qualified for the international Main Tour professional series in 2003 by winning his first world title: the WPBSA World Under-21 Snooker Championship in New Zealand. It was during the subsequent 2003-2004 Main Tour season, that Neil truly made his mark on the world stage.
After some promising results, including his first Quarter Finals appearance at a world ranking event, Neil finished the season ranked 68 in the world.
By the end of the 2004-2005 Main Tour season, a further 2 Quarter Final appearances, and victories against some of the world's best players, Neil had climbed to 28 in the world. By the end of the 2005-2006 Main Tour season, and another 2 Quarter Final appearances, Neil had broken into the prestigious world Top 16, finishing with a world ranking of 13.
During the 2006-2007 Main Tour season, Neil became the first Australian to win a professional ranking snooker event, claiming the Grand Prix in October. He then became the only professional to win two titles in that season, by claiming the Welsh Open early in 2007. Neil finished the season ranked 7 in the world.
Regarded today as one of the world's best long potters and one of snooker's fastest rising stars, Neil is gifted with a well-rounded game, calm temperament and steely determination.
68, 28, 13, 7. Neil has dramatically climbed the world rankings over the past 4 seasons, but the best is yet to come, and once again Neil sets the bar high.
Only two goals remain . . .
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