Kyren Wilson critiques Alexandra Palace environment ahead of Masters
Kyren Wilson has taken a light-hearted swipe at darts supporters ahead of the Masters snooker tournament at Alexandra Palace. The world No.2 joked about the aftermath left behind following the recent World Darts Championship at the north London venue, reports BritPanorama.
“The Masters is a real showpiece event now for snooker, but it is hard for players to settle in there,” Wilson told 247Bet. “It’s quite unique in terms of a playing environment. It’s hard wading through all those empty beer barrels that all of the Darts fans have gone through.”
The atmosphere at Ally Pally is expected to be considerably more subdued when snooker’s elite arrive next week. Despite the jovial complaints about the venue’s post-darts state, Wilson remains a firm advocate for keeping the prestigious tournament at its current home. The Masters has been staged at Alexandra Palace since 2012, and the Kettering cueman believes there is no reason to consider a change.
“When something isn’t broke, don’t fix it,” Wilson stated. “So whilst the Masters is still growing in numbers at the Ally Pally, we should just leave it where it is because it’s becoming recognised by people as the home of the Masters.”
The tournament has established itself as one of snooker’s most celebrated events, with the intimate setting contributing to its distinctive appeal among players and spectators alike. Wilson has also expressed his delight at the prospect of Ronnie O’Sullivan returning to the competition this year, after the seven-time world champion notably stepped away from the sport to prioritise his wellbeing.
With O’Sullivan expected to feature in the upcoming edition, Wilson offered generous praise for his fellow competitor. “Ronnie’s always going to bring more and add an extra level to any event or any tournament,” Wilson remarked. “But [he’s] got absolutely nothing to prove. He’s by far the greatest player of all time, so he should just enjoy his snooker.”
Wilson’s quest to finally lift the Masters trophy continues when he faces 15th seed Si Jiahui in the opening round. The 33-year-old has reached the final on two occasions but remains without the title, including last year’s defeat to Shaun Murphy. Should Wilson progress, a potential clash with O’Sullivan or Neil Robertson awaits in the second round.
Murphy begins his title defence against Wu Yize, whilst Mark Selby meets Xiao Guodong. The opposite half of the draw features several compelling encounters, with Judd Trump facing Ding Junhui and John Higgins taking on Barry Hawkins. Gary Wilson meets reigning world champion Zhao Xintong.
Amidst the rivalry and readiness, it serves as a reminder of the multi-layered nature of snooker — where venue quirks and player rivalries intertwine, creating an atmosphere as charged as the action on the table itself.
