Kyren Wilson, fresh off a Masters victory, voiced his frustration with the relentless snooker tour schedule following a swift defeat at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong. The tournament began a mere two days after the German Masters concluded, leaving players with minimal recovery and preparation time.
Wilson’s campaign ended abruptly with a 5-2 loss to Xiao Guodong, a result that also dashed his hopes of qualifying for the prestigious Players Championship. He openly admitted struggling to find his form, attributing it to the grueling travel and lack of practice.
“I was just trying to hang on,” Wilson confessed, acknowledging Guodong’s strong performance. He expressed disappointment for the Hong Kong event itself, believing it deserved better than a rushed field of jet-lagged competitors.
The issue isn’t simply the travel distance, but the compressed timeframe. Last season’s Grand Prix followed a more manageable schedule, positioned immediately after a tournament in Yushan, China – a significantly shorter journey. Wilson highlighted the disruption to his personal life, forced to travel separately from his family.
Adding to the frustration, Wilson learned of a last-minute change to his match schedule just the day before, further hindering his preparation. This chaotic arrangement underscored what he described as “poor scheduling” and a “disheartening” situation.
Judd Trump, the German Masters champion, echoed Wilson’s concerns, labeling the Hong Kong schedule “not ideal.” World Snooker Tour acknowledged the challenges inherent in a globally expanding tour with increased prize money, stating they consider player travel when creating the schedule.
However, the impact of the schedule was evident in other matches. Mark Selby, benefiting from an earlier exit in Germany, still admitted to feeling less than fully prepared despite a dominant 5-0 victory over Aaron Hill. He revealed disrupted sleep and a late notification of his match time.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Earlier in the season, the transition from the International Championship in Nanjing, China, to the Champion of Champions in Leicester, England, sparked similar outrage, with Shaun Murphy describing his treatment as “despicable” after being forced to open the latter event immediately following his travels.
The demanding schedule raises questions about player welfare and the balance between expanding the tour’s global reach and ensuring a fair and competitive environment. The current system appears to be pushing even the most seasoned professionals to their limits.
