Published On: Wed, Nov 27th, 2024
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Ronnie O’Sullivan shuts down Judd Trump and Neil Robertson complaints at UK Championship | Other | Sport


Ronnie O’Sullivan has fired back at Judd Trump and Neil Robertson after they ripped into the playing conditions at the UK Championship.

Both players criticised the quality of the tables following Trump’s victory over Robertson in the opening round, with the latter suggesting the general standard of play was impacted by the unpredictable surface.

He said: “Basic positional shots flying off the cushions, going two feet too far, has sort of been a bit of a pattern this week and I don’t think the standard has been very good because of that. It was just a really, really tough game for both of us.”

Trump, meanwhile, added: “The cushions were just very, very bouncy, very heavy, so it was very hard to stop the white. Every time you hit the ball it would go near a cushion and it’s tough because it gets you down.”

When quizzed on the criticism of the tables in York, O’Sullivan made the point that because everybody has to play on the same surface, nobody is put at a disadvantage.

“I never really get that when people complain about the conditions, because you’re playing on the same table,” he told Eurosport.

“It’s not like your opponent has got a great table and you’re playing on a bad table. Or in golf when you go out in the morning and the weather is fantastic and then the weather can change and it’s hailstones. Okay, I get that.

“But actually, the conditions are the conditions. It’s about who adapts. You never hear me complaining about tables because I know it’s the same for both of us. You just have to find a way to get the best out of the table.”

It comes after O’Sullivan was knocked out of the UK Championship on the opening day, throwing away a two-frame lead in his 6-4 defeat at the hands of Barry Hawkins.

Reflecting on his early exit, O’Sullivan said: “I just think Barry played a good match and deserved his win, so I have to give all credit to him. He played well, looked strong and took his chances.

“I’m alright about it and I’m pretty much used to it. You just have to roll with it. It is what it is. I’m just enjoying playing, that’s the important thing. I try to not look back on it and on to whatever the next event is.”



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