Ronnie O’Sullivan’s feedback concerning the “disgusting” situations at The Masters aren’t shared by everybody in rivalry, although Kyren Wilson has his personal gripes.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has made his emotions on The Masters venue completely clear (Picture: Getty) This text accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Study extra
The 2026 Masters has bought underway at Alexandra Palace with Ronnie O’Sullivan nowhere to be seen. ‘The Rocket’ pulled out of the competitors at quick discover on medical grounds on Friday, permitting Chris Wakelin a shock late entry.
Ally Pally has been house to the match since 2012 and takes place barely per week after the World Darts Championship wraps up. That battle in schedules is clearly felt by sure stars, too, with Kyren Wilson additionally hinting at his distaste for the clean-up operation as soon as darts followers have moved on. Not everyone seems to be at odds with the venue, nevertheless, and Xiao Guodong seems have fallen in love following his first go to. The Chinese language ace upset Mark Selby 6-2 in his Masters debut because the competitors bought underway on Sunday.
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Xiao was extremely complimentary of the setting andexpressed his fondness for the match within the aftermath. Talking after his win over Selby, the 36-year-old mentioned: “The venue is nice, the folks watching are good and every thing is ideal.”
That is in direct distinction to O’Sullivan’s judgement in 2024 after beating Barry Hawkins within the quarter-finals. “I simply don’t love this place. I discover it disgusting,” he mentioned two years in the past. “In all places is soiled. It is chilly. It is freezing, I’ve to put on my coat in all places. You undergo automobile parks. There are bins. Actually, it simply makes me really feel sick.
“I am a little bit of a clear freak and after I are available right here it provides me the heebie-jeebies. I simply can’t wait to get out of right here.”
The Rocket has pulled out of each editions of the match as a consequence of medical causes since making these remarks. And regardless of profitable a document eight Masters titles (from one other document 14 last appearances), he is probably not returning anytime quickly.
Xiao Guodong complimented Ally Pally after beating Mark Selby in his Masters debut on Sunday (Picture: Getty)
Wilson can maybe empathise with O’Sullivan’s stance about requirements at Ally Pally. The world No. 2 will make his bow at this yr’s match towards Si Jiahui on Tuesday, only some days after hinting on the hangover felt from the World Darts Championship.
“The Masters is an actual showpiece occasion now for snooker, however it’s exhausting for gamers to settle in there,” he just lately advised 247Bet. “It is fairly distinctive when it comes to a enjoying atmosphere. It is exhausting wading by way of all these empty beer barrels that all the Darts followers have gone by way of.”
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Amid calls from some to alter the venue, nevertheless, Wilson really feel the match is best-served at its present location: “When one thing is not broke, do not repair it. So while the Masters remains to be rising in numbers on the Ally Pally, we must always simply depart it the place it’s, as a result of it is changing into recognised by folks as the house of the Masters.”
The competitors’s fourth seed has reached the Masters last on two events, together with a 10-7 loss to Shaun Murphy final yr. He’ll hope to go one higher this time round and eventually get his palms on one title that is eluded his grasp, empty beer barrels and all.
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