Former world snooker champion Shaun Murphy has described criticism from fellow players of the table-fitters at the British Open as “rude and amateurish” in the wake of Mark Allen’s scathing attack on playing conditions at the tournament.
Antrim cueman Allen said conditions at the Centaur Arena in Cheltenham were “absolutely embarrassing” and suggested fresh-faced staff working on the tables were “clearly not up to it” following his opening-round victory over Gary Wilson.
The world No.3 added that the table he played on should be “burned”, although Allen, who later apologised to interviewer Rob Walker on ‘X’ following the outburst, did turn heads in the third round when he made a 147 break on that same table during his victory over Belgian Ben Mertens.
Allen was denied a place in the Final of the competition following a last-four defeat to Mark Selby on Sunday, and with world No.1 Judd Trump agreeing with Allen’s stance and commenting that the tables at the tournament were “horrible”, former World Championship winner Murphy, who was knocked out of the 2024 British Open by Selby’s Final opponent John Higgins, hit back by passionately defending the table staff.
“I must defend the staff. I think some of the criticism from fellow professionals has been nothing short of rude and amateurish,” he rapped.
“There’s a real misconception about playing conditions, people either refer to them as good or bad. The truth of the matter is they’re either difficult or more difficult.
“It’s about time players understood that. They’re either difficult or get more difficult with the weather and humidity. A lot of players don’t understand that once humidity hits a table, it becomes very difficult.
“It’s nothing to do with the table-fitter or their skill. They get a table off the back of a lorry and fit it. They do a great job.
“It’s about time some of our players educated themselves and maybe visit the factory. Maybe they wouldn’t say such silly things.
“Criticising members of staff who are just doing their job, and they do it brilliantly all around the world week in and week out, was a step too far. I hope it’s something that we see the back of.”