Mark Allen Criticizes British Open Conditions

Mark Allen has criticized the playing conditions at the British Open, calling them 'absolutely embarrassing' following his first-round win over Gary Wilson. He expressed his frustration with the weather and the state of the tables, stating, 'The table needs to be burned' due to unplayable cushions and a heavy surface. Allen's complaints stem from the cold and humid environment caused by open transport doors at the venue in Cheltenham. The World Snooker Tour defended their table-fitting team, attributing the issues to recent unprecedented rainfall rather than their standards. Despite his victory, Allen later apologized on social media for his outburst directed at ITV reporter Rob Walker, clarifying that his frustrations were aimed at the playing conditions. This incident reflects ongoing concerns from top players regarding the quality of facilities at major snooker events.