Neil Robertson has revealed Ronnie O'Sullivan 'laughed off' his attempts at peace talks recently after noting the snooker icon was playing 'pretty awful' this season.
O'Sullivan is on course for a historic season with a chance of becoming just the fourth player to win all three Triple Crown events in the same season if he picks up an eighth world title.
He's already won the Shanghai Masters, UK Championship, Masters, World Grand Prix and Riyadh World Masters.
But Robertson faced some criticism back in January when he claimed O'Sullivan had not been playing too great despite his impressive results.
“You can get very comfortable and complacent when you’re just cruising into the last 16, quarter-finals, with your opponents falling over the line," Robertson was quoted as saying.
Ronnie O'Sullivan didn't take any offence to Neil Robertson's comments
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“We’ve probably seen that with Ronnie recently, let’s have it right he’s played pretty awful, but he’s been able to keep winning because people keep missing blacks off the spot, pinks off the spot.
“He’s gained that reputation of being unbeatable this season even though he’s played awful."
Robertson felt the need to reach out to O'Sullivan after seeing his comments make headlines.
But the 2010 world champion was relieved to discover O'Sullivan wasn't bothered in the slightest.
"I got slaughtered earlier in the season for saying Ronnie was playing awful in the tournaments early on," Robertson told Eurosport.
"It was a compliment, but a couple of papers ran with it saying I thought he was terrible which was nonsense.
"Actually to the point when I spoke to Ronnie, and I said you know what I'm saying, and he just laughed it off.
"He knew what I was saying. When you get to the semis and final, that's when you really take the tournament on."
O'Sullivan has been openly critical about his game this season despite winning five titles, including the first two Triple Crown events.
Neil Robertson claimed Ronnie O'Sullivan was playing pretty awful
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Speaking after winning his eighth Masters title back in January, the 'Rocket' aired his frustrations.
“I can’t fathom it out. I’ve got to really consider whether I can carry on feeling how I’m feeling out there – I just don’t get any enjoyment from the way I’m hitting the ball," O'Sullivan said.
"I feel like it’s just hard work, I haven’t a clue where the balls are going, and a lot of it’s just guesswork.
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“The worst thing is you’re winning bloody tournaments as well. If I was getting pumped every round playing like that it would be an easy decision to make. It’s the only thing I’ve known. It’s my job and it’s all I know. So I’ve struggled with it.
“I definitely need a break at least. It’s been happening like this for 25 or 30 years, so it’s not anything different. It’s a struggle. The worst thing is I’m winning bloody tournaments as well.
“I just have struggles with the game. I can’t accept bad cueing, I can’t accept it. I’d rather cue well and lose than cue awful and win tournaments. I get no satisfaction out of it, I really don’t.”
