Xi’an Grand Prix organisers have released a statement in response to Ronnie O’Sullivan complaining about playing conditions.
Snooker‘s stars are in China this week, competing for glory in the tournament that is now creeping toward the latter stages.
O’Sullivan cruised past Stephen Maguire with a 5-0 whitewash on Thursday afternoon to book his place in the last-32.
The seven-time world champion won that match after moving through the opening rounds against Iulian Boiko and Yao Pencheng.
Despite his apparent ease in progressing through the Xi’an Grand Prix though, he’s not very happy about the conditions.
The 49-year-old has detailed the impact that the humidity is having on the snooker table and the ability to control the ball.
What did Ronnie O’Sullivan say about the conditions?
“The conditions were so hard,” the sporting great said after beating Maguire. “Probably the hardest conditions I’ve ever had to play in.
“The balls won’t open up, you can’t screw back. The white just runs on forever. Cushions are bouncing.”
Temperatures in Xi’an, China on Thursday were similar to the UK at 16 degrees celsius, but humidity was at 100 per cent at the tournament compared to 65 per cent back in England.
And O’Sullivan clearly hasn’t enjoyed playing in Asia so far, offering some advice to organisers in his post-match interview.
“If they want to see some good snooker this week, I’d suggest they change the cloth every day because it’s so damp,” he added.
“[It’s] Virtually impossible to move the white around and open the balls up.”
Statement released
O’Sullivan’s comments have forced the Xi’an Grand Prix organisers to release a statement on the conditions.
They have hinted at making changes but also claimed that conditions have been acceptable throughout the year, referencing stars’ impressive scoring.
The statement from World Snooker Tour reads: “The number of century breaks and 147s this season indicate that conditions have never been better across the tour.
“It’s always a challenge to make conditions perfect in different territories across the globe, particularly in humid climates.
“We work closely with our partners and the players to make conditions as good as possible.”
42 centuries and two 147 breaks had been produced before the last-32 stage at the Xi’an Grand Prix, with Judd Trump and Aaron Hill achieving the maximums.
When is O’Sullivan next in action?
O’Sullivan is now into the last-32 at the Xi’an Grand Prix after easily beating Maguire in a whitewash.
So far at the tournament this week, he has played on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – with a new round taking place each day.
And that continues next, as ‘The Rocket’ plays his next match on Friday against Welshman Jak Jones.
That match will be taking place at 12:30pm UK time.
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