Mark Allen was in furious mood with the conditions at the British Open on Monday, despite winning his opening match, as he claimed the table should be burned.
Allen had a tough first round draw against Gary Wilson but came through 4-3 to book a clash with Aaron Hill on Tuesday afternoon.
The Pistol fired off a scathing review of the conditions in Cheltenham, though, hitting out at the table-fitters and organisers at the venue leaving a door open.
‘The conditions out there are absolutely embarrassing,’ Allen told ITV. ‘It’s some of the worst weather outside and they’ve left the massive transport doors open. It’s so cold, it’s so humid, out there.
‘The table needs to be burned.
‘Gary was laughing his head off at the very first break-off shot he played. It reacted like it shouldn’t ever react, it’s just embarrassing it came so wide.
‘The cushions are unplayable, uncontrollable. It was heavy. The speed was decent but there are new guys doing the tables this year and they’re just clearly not up to it. Just not good enough.’
Asked if he could take his complaint through official channels, he said: ‘I genuinely complain every single tournament, I fill in table report sheets, match report sheets and nothing ever changes.’
Since airing his views on television, the world number three apologised to interviewer Rob Walker, although stuck to his guns on his main point.
‘After having some time to calm down I’d like to apologise to @robwalkertv for that interview,’ Allen wrote on X. ‘My anger wasn’t directed at him and he definitely deserved a better interview.
‘My frustrations were 100% at the conditions which frankly haven’t been anywhere near good enough this season.’
‘A spokesperson for World Snooker Tour told the BBC: ‘Our table-fitting team has been consistent for some time and works to the highest standards.
‘The weather in the area has seen unprecedented rainfall over the last couple of days which can negatively influence the conditions.
‘We have raised the issue of an open door with the venue.’
Wilson was a number of big names to fall on the opening day of the British Open, with Mark Williams, Ding Junhui, Ali Carter, Barry Hawkins, Tom Ford and Rob Milkins all beaten.
The action continues at 10am on Tuesday.
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