Neil Robertson believes a new 35-second shot clock in snooker is needed.
But his thoughts did not go down too well with fans.
The winner of 24 ranking events replied to a user on X, formerly Twitter, by saying the implementation of a new shot rule would help players and speed up the game.
A shot clock is used for the single-frame Snooker Shoot Out ranking event but no other tournament on the calendar places a time restriction on players to play a shot.
Robertson’s comments came only a couple of days after Judd Trump took a dig at the Australian for “slow play” in theor long Champion of Champions group final contest. Robertson won the match 6-4.
Robertson said on X: “I have no idea when a shot/thinking time can be over a minute. A 35-second shot (clock) when in play would help massively. Like in tennis which they introduced. We need the same in snooker.”
But fans say shot clock would ‘ruin snooker’
His comments were posted on the Snooker Chat X page which attracted dozens of replies. Most fans disagreed with the idea of a shot clock in snooker – with one saying it would “ruin the game”.
Malcom Wood said: “(It) has its place but tell a player they can only have 35 seconds in world champs (sic) etc and they’ll change mind.”
Corcaigh Abu replied: “Don’t agree with him (Robertson) at all. What if in a world final we are in a decider and your snookered and the balls remaining are open. You are not going to want to rush a decision. There are plenty more examples of not wanting to be on the clock. Definitely a no for me, keep the shot clock away from snooker.”
Peter Beard said: “Why would you want to ruin the great game of snooker. Not all players play at the same speed and Neil is not the quickest.”
Packology added: “I don’t think Neil realises how long he spends on some shots, or maybe he does, and wants the shot clock to help him not to overthink shots? It’s a hard no from me.”
Neil Robertson says snooker ‘needs’ a 35-second shot clock.
He said on X: “I have no idea when a shot/thinking time can be over a minute….a 35 sec shot when in play would help massively. Like in tennis which they introduced. We need the same in snooker.” #snooker pic.twitter.com/dCzGEygzUo
— Snooker Chat 🔴⚫🔴 (@Snooker_Chat) November 16, 2024
But Robertson did get some support for a shot clock to be used.
Mark Colley said: “Need to do something to stop slow play. I watch a lot of snooker but struggle to watch some players as find them boring due to the pace of play.”
George Leonard added: “Definitely needs a shot clock IMO (in my opinion). The talent will evolve. If each player had one ‘stop-the-clock’ option every frame, I think that would be fair. It saves all these tedious players trying to purposely ruin other players rhythms.”
And Chris Chatfield said: “Maybe something like that – but higher if the player is snookered.”
