Mark Williams and Barry Hawkins have slammed the choice to cancel Saudi Arabia Masters, with each snooker stars asking for readability
Snooker star Mark Williams raised his issues (Picture: Getty) This text accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Study extra
Mark Williams and Barry Hawkins have been left unimpressed with the shortage of communication after the World Snooker Tour (WST) determined to cancel this yr’s Saudi Arabia Masters.
On Saturday, the WST introduced in an announcement that the Saudi event had been axed from the calendar, simply two years after it was first held and regardless of a 10-year deal first being introduced.
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Judd Trump and Neil Robertson have received the one two editions of the occasion, with the duo profitable £500,000 every. A prize pot of £2.3million was up for grabs, placing the event alongside the World Snooker Championship as essentially the most profitable.
Williams is worried in regards to the greater impression cancelling the Center East event may have, whereas Hawkins has slammed the “silly e mail” which provided “no rationalization” to gamers as to why the occasion has been known as off.
“I suppose that is one of many downsides to having a cash rating system, as a result of it is so top-heavy,” Williams mentioned, after dropping to Hawkins on the 2026 World Snooker Championship on the Crucible.
“Now these guys like Neil Robertson and Judd Trump, they haven’t acquired an opportunity to defend that £500,000, that is simply going to be wiped off, and there isn’t any event to interchange that. Different folks down the rankings are going to endure as effectively. All of us thought it (Saudi Arabia Masters) was on for 10 years, however for no matter cause it has been known as off.”
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Hawkins, in the meantime, bemoaned with the shortage of readability across the resolution.
The 47-year-old mentioned: “What a disappointment. With out sounding impolite, one thing’s gone improper for us to lose that event. What’s occurred to the 10-year contract? It is simply been blown out of the water.
“We do not get no rationalization, nothing, which may be very, very annoying. We simply get some silly e mail saying it has been stopped. No rationalization, nothing. Very disappointing – it is a large event to lose. It might be attention-grabbing to see the rationale behind it.”
The WST have been approached for remark.
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Neil Robertson celebrates after profitable the 2025 Saudi Arabia Masters (Picture: Getty)
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Asserting the choice on Saturday, the WST mentioned: “Following constructive discussions between The Saudi Billiard and Snooker Federation and Matchroom following the conclusion of the 2025 editions, it has been mutually agreed to not proceed with future editions of the World Pool Championship and the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
“Throughout 2024 and 2025, the Kingdom efficiently staged two main occasions in Riyadh and Jeddah, welcoming world champions and offering 18 Saudi gamers with the chance to compete on the identical stage.
“1000’s of spectators attended from almost 40 international locations, many experiencing elite dwell snooker and pool for the primary time.
“Throughout this era, Saudi juniors additionally progressed by worldwide occasions, together with World Nineball Tour competitions, Q Tour Center East, and Asian junior championships — necessary early steps onto the worldwide stage.
“We lengthen our honest because of all gamers, officers, and individuals for his or her contribution to the success of those occasions.”
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