Snooker star fights again tears after two tragic deaths earlier than heavy last defeat
Stuart Bingham was thrashed 10-0 by Neil Robertson in the World Grand Prix final, with the Englishman later explaining how two people close to him had died during the week of the event
Stuart Bingham fought back tears as he spoke of the heartbreaking loss of two people close to him prior to his whitewash defeat in the World Grand Prix final.
After being defeated 10-0 by Neil Robertson in Hong Kong, Bingham paid tribute to his long-time coach Joe Lazarus and his uncle Ray, both of whom died in the week leading up to the final.
He also extended his thoughts to fellow player Jack Lisowski, who withdrew from the tournament following the death of his father.
Bingham shared: “My goal was to get to the final, if someone had said I’d get to the final and get beat 10-0, I’d have maybe gone ‘Nah. Let me have a frame!’
“The final was a big match for me. It’s been a good week on the table for me. But I’d like to give a shout out to Jack Lisowski, feeling for you mate, my friend Lee Fairbrother, feel for all of you.
“My local coach Joe Lazarus passed away this week and my uncle Ray passed away this morning, so it ain’t been a good week off the table. Shout out to them guys. But have to take the positives, Telford in a week’s time and I’ve got that.
“I want Neil in the draw, he ain’t going to be beat me 10-0 again!” During the interview, Bingham needed a pause to compose himself while the crowd at the Kai Tak Arena responded with warm applause.
The final marked Bingham’s first appearance in a ranking event final in six years, where he also praised Robertson’s “unbelievable” performance.
“It’s hard at the moment,” he confessed. “But hats off to Neil, who took every chance today and had a little bit of a run at the right time. I had my chances and it could’ve easily been 5-5 if I took my chances,” reports the Mirror.
“But Neil had some unbelievable clearances and the writing was on the wall when he went 8-0. I had always had that belief I could do something, but today it just wasn’t happening.”
