Kyren Wilson Lashes Out at “Unplayable” Conditions After UK Championship Exit
Table of Contents
A shocking first-round defeat at the hands of Elliot Slessor has prompted Kyren Wilson to publicly criticize the table conditions at the UK Championship, claiming they were detrimental to fair play and contributed to his loss. The world No. 2, considered a tournament favorite, fell 6-4 to Slessor in York, visibly frustrated by what he described as unpredictable cloth and excessively tight pockets.
Wilson’s early exit adds to the growing list of upsets at this year’s championship,following Ronnie O’Sullivan’s unexpected loss on Tuesday.
Mental Game Shattered from the Start
The 33-year-old admitted his confidence evaporated almost immediately, stating, “I mentally gave up as soon as I missed the pink in the first frame, but tried my hardest.” He described a feeling of helplessness, exacerbated by the unpredictable nature of the table. “When you do not know where the balls are going to go – especially on tight pockets and unplayable conditions – it’s a recipe for disaster,” Wilson explained.
He confessed to feeling overwhelmed by the situation, adding, “I gave it my all. I wanted the world to swallow me up as soon as I missed the pink in the first frame.It’s been a nightmare. You can’t win matches in this tournament using a cue first thing this morning.”
Pocket Settings Under Fire
A central point of Wilson’s criticism focused on the pocket settings, which he believed were unnecessarily tightened. “It’s the last of the first round. The pockets are already tight,” he said. “I don’t understand why they needed tightening. I get it for China, but here they played fine.” He went on to describe the experience as playing “blind,” stating, “Unplayable. I hit a few balls I thought were in. When you’re guessing with your cue as well, you feel as tho you’re playing to nothing because there’s nothing to aim at.”
At times, Wilson even considered forfeiting the match. “When the tables are so difficult,I just didn’t want to be out there,I wanted to shake his hand and walk out but people pay good money to watch you play snooker,” he said. “I battled, gave it my all, but not to be.”
Slessor Deserves Credit, Wilson Acknowledges
Despite his frustration with the conditions, Wilson was swift to acknowledge Elliot Slessor’s performance. Slessor,ranked No. 82 in the world, capitalized on Wilson’s struggles, delivering a composed and strategic game.The match began on November 22, 2023, at the York Barbican. Wilson’s complaints centered on the perceived inconsistency of the table conditions, suggesting they unfairly disadvantaged skilled players.The loss marks a significant setback for Wilson,who was aiming for a strong finish to the year. Slessor advances to the second round, where he will face another challenging opponent.
