Bergman will play WNT events in 2026

S

SA96

Well-known member
Scott Frost said the below.

He’s going to chase the cup this year. He’s going to play some events overseas, and he’s going to do whatever he can to make Team USA. If he performs, and I think he can perform, I think that’s a huge benefit.

“Here’s what I can promise you, Justin’s doing very, very well, I can absolutely promise you that. His health is as good as it’s ever been. His mindset is as good as it’s ever been. He’s excited to play for Team USA.”

absolute-pool.com

‘He’s going to chase the cup’ – Bergman to return in 2026 with Mosconi desire - Absolute Pool

Justin Bergman will compete on the World Nineball Tour for the first time next year (Photo: JP Parmentier)
absolute-pool.com absolute-pool.com
 
FYI, they released their schedule a couple of days ago. It shows dates through the first half of the year plus Mosconi. Still nothing on the US Open.
 
SA96 said:
Scott Frost said the below.

He’s going to chase the cup this year. He’s going to play some events overseas, and he’s going to do whatever he can to make Team USA. If he performs, and I think he can perform, I think that’s a huge benefit.

“Here’s what I can promise you, Justin’s doing very, very well, I can absolutely promise you that. His health is as good as it’s ever been. His mindset is as good as it’s ever been. He’s excited to play for Team USA.”

absolute-pool.com

‘He’s going to chase the cup’ – Bergman to return in 2026 with Mosconi desire - Absolute Pool

Justin Bergman will compete on the World Nineball Tour for the first time next year (Photo: JP Parmentier)
absolute-pool.com absolute-pool.com
Click to expand...

chase.. my guess is he just has to play one event, like the international or USO, and he's a guaranteed pick. he's that much better than billy/tyler
 
Justin will have a tough row to hoe.
I will be rooting for him and hope he does well. I would not doubt that fan support has helped him make this decision.
I for one am hoping for a great year for him and the rest of the young, budding American players.
 
For team USA it's too little, too late...
For Bergman, he should stay in UP where he is king, on the international circuit he's second tier.
 
SA96 said:
Scott Frost said the below.

He’s going to chase the cup this year. He’s going to play some events overseas, and he’s going to do whatever he can to make Team USA. If he performs, and I think he can perform, I think that’s a huge benefit.

“Here’s what I can promise you, Justin’s doing very, very well, I can absolutely promise you that. His health is as good as it’s ever been. His mindset is as good as it’s ever been. He’s excited to play for Team USA.”

absolute-pool.com

‘He’s going to chase the cup’ – Bergman to return in 2026 with Mosconi desire - Absolute Pool

Justin Bergman will compete on the World Nineball Tour for the first time next year (Photo: JP Parmentier)
absolute-pool.com absolute-pool.com
Click to expand...

He talks in the third person? :D 🎄

Edit: oops, missed the whole Scott Frost intro, lol.
 
SA96 said:
Scott Frost said the below.

He’s going to chase the cup this year. He’s going to play some events overseas, and he’s going to do whatever he can to make Team USA. If he performs, and I think he can perform, I think that’s a huge benefit.

“Here’s what I can promise you, Justin’s doing very, very well, I can absolutely promise you that. His health is as good as it’s ever been. His mindset is as good as it’s ever been. He’s excited to play for Team USA.”

absolute-pool.com

‘He’s going to chase the cup’ – Bergman to return in 2026 with Mosconi desire - Absolute Pool

Justin Bergman will compete on the World Nineball Tour for the first time next year (Photo: JP Parmentier)
absolute-pool.com absolute-pool.com
Click to expand...
But will he pass "the test".
 
skor said:
For team USA it's too little, too late...
For Bergman, he should stay in UP where he is king, on the international circuit he's second tier.
Click to expand...

idk about that, the new break rules would probably favor him. and from what i've seen in 1p matches and UP he's just as sharp as before in the other departments (jump shots excluded). i like UP but justin can play a tournament and miss one ball.. can't be much of a challenge for him
 
The problem Bergman is going to have is that he isn't seeded with the WNT.

So if he enters an open event, he might end up playing a top 16 player in his first match.
 
This is great news. I always liked both Justin and his 9ball game. Still, despite Scott's suggestion, I highly doubt he'll do everything he can to qualify, as that would mean, at very least, playing in all the WNT majors.

It's hard to imagine the travel-phobic Justin going to the WNT majors in Asia (World 9ball, Hanoi Open and Philippines Open), but even if Justin plays only the Florida Open, US Open, UK Open and European Open, he will have ample opportunity to prove himself worthy of a Mosconi pick. Of course, barring a couple of top three finishes, such participation probably wouldn't be enough to gain one of the three automatic qualifying spots, so he'd likely need to rely on becoming a wildcard pick.

Of course, the burning questions are a) does he play 9ball as well as he did in 2013-19? b) how much will the lack of world class competition in recent years hold him back? and c) can he learn the WNT break?

There's no doubt in my mind that if he can reproduce his form of 2013-2019, he can shine in WNT play. His biggest weakness back then was his break, but he ran the table quite well. His defense and kicking were superb, and those skills are now more important than they ever have been in WNT play.

The Derby City 9ball, a WNT rankings event, would be a nice place for him to start. Wishing him the best of luck.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top