Jack Robinson at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. Photo: Beatriz Ryder//World Surf League
The WSL and Jack Robinson announced the world number two surfer and 2022 Margaret River Pro champion will be sitting out this year’s Western Australia event due to a knee injury suffered at Bells Beach. Robinson had a noticeable limp coming up the beach after local wildcard Xavier Huxtable knocked him out of the event in the Round of 16. The WSL broadcast team then spent a fair chunk of time showing Robinson stretching and gesturing to his knee before he eventually walked off to have it checked out.
“Things didn’t go my way at Bells ? but I’ll be looking forward to ringing the bell next year,” Robinson said earlier this week. “On my last wave I did a layback and my leg turned in a funny angle – I’m resting up, healing and will see everyone at the next comp.”
But it turns out the injury was more serious than he’d hoped, sidelining him at a critical moment in the season. Robinson’s early exit from Bells opened the door for either João Chianca or Filipe Toledo to steal the yellow jersey, with Toledo needing to win the event in order to overtake both in the CT rankings. By the end of the contest, Chianca was wearing yellow, which he’ll be sporting for the first time this coming week at Margaret River.
“During my heat at Bells, I ended up injuring my meniscus (cartilage in my knee),” Robinson said with an update over the weekend. “After reviewing with a few specialists, and discussions with my team, I’ll be pulling out of the Margaret River Pro. As you all know, Margs is my home break, and I’m always looking forward to being in @westernaustralia. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to compete at Margs, but it’s what’s best for my recovery and longterm goals. Next week I’ll be starting physiotherapy. I’m confident I’ll be back for the next event.”
Now he’s apparently headed to Brazil for treatment and “will be back soon.” If he’s going to make it back to contest form when the tour resumes, he has six weeks before the first post-cut event on the CT — the Surf Ranch Pro in California May 27-28. Meanwhile, the WSL says whoever finishes second in the Margaret River Pro trials will now get Robinson’s spot, as the trials winner is already guaranteed a place in the CT event.
