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Kyren Wilson lashes out at ‘really poor’ tables at UK Championship after Judd Trump defeat – ‘Something’s going on’
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Kyren Wilson lashes out at ‘really poor’ tables at UK Championship after Judd Trump defeat – ‘Something’s going on’

World champion Kyren Wilson has called on organizers to improve conditions at major snooker tournaments after describing the tables at the UK Championship as “really, really bad”.

There had been concerns about playing conditions earlier in the week, with Trump and Neil Robertson complaining about the “very bouncy and very heavy” tables.

World Snooker stressed that the team responsible for setting up the tables “work to the highest standards, often through the night, to ensure the best possible playing conditions”.

Saturday’s encounter between the world numbers 1 and 2 failed to live up to expectations from the start, with the cue ball having to be replaced by umpire Rob Spencer before a ball was struck.

Wilson can reflect on a missed routine pot with the rest in the fourth frame as the pivotal moment, as Trump moved forward even though he wasn’t at his best.

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Trump concludes his British championship victory in style with a century

Video credit: Eurosport

“I don’t like to let anyone down, but for me you have to look at the table fitters,” Wilson said.

“The tables have been really bad all week. Every time I play, the tables drift to the right.

“When you lose confidence in the board, you start to question your technique, you wonder if you’re putting a little sideways on the ball.

“If World Snooker wants to have these big matches, these big rivalries, they need to look at the conditions a little bit more.

“Something’s going on. Isn’t the floor quite level? We need to look at something.

“Because unfortunately the fans won’t get their money’s worth.

“I called him even since I was working in the BBC studio this week. It’s not like I’m sulking and saying it after a defeat.

“It’s disappointing but I wish these major tournaments had perfect conditions because then you will get the best snooker.”

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“Richly rewarded” – Trump gets out of a delicate situation by putting two reds against Wilson

Video credit: Eurosport

Trump was also unhappy with the conditions, although he felt the tables were an improvement over previous rounds.

“It was tricky. There was a black one I played in one of the frames towards the end and he rolled a lot,” said Trump, who last won the UK championship in 2011.

“It’s difficult – external conditions influence it. I don’t have too many complaints about the table – it’s certainly much better now than at the start of the week.”

A WST spokesperson said: by The Sun: “Our table setting team works to the highest standards, often all night, to guarantee the best possible playing conditions.

“However, they can only respond to issues reported by players. Only two status report cards were submitted this week.

“We always value player feedback and encourage them to engage with us to ensure table conditions are as good as possible.”

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‘It was my fault!’ – Murphy blames himself for not having “adapted to the playing conditions”

Video credit: Eurosport

Watch and stream the best snooker events, including the UK Championship, live and on demand on Eurosport and discovery+