Snooker star Mark Allen has hinted at boycotting the German Masters in a fiery post on social media.
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, he criticised the format after admitting that he ‘hates the event’.
GettyMark Allen has been vocal about his dislike for the German Masters competition[/caption]
Allen even went as far to suggest he might skip the German Masters unless significant changes are made.
Despite its reputation as one of the sport’s top events, the 2018 Masters champion remains unimpressed with Berlin’s Tempodrom.
After a second-round loss to Wu Yize, Allen voiced his dissatisfaction on X: “Not to be in this years German Masters. Well done to Wu.
“Anyone who sees me back at this event under current conditions has permission to tell me off. Thanks in advance.”
Allen’s grievances largely revolve around the tournament’s early-stage set-up, where multiple tables surround the main TV table, which he finds highly distracting.
He has been vocal about his displeasure, famously declaring in 2018: “So (my) hate/hate affair with the German Masters continues. Seriously hate the event. So distracting for all players who aren’t on table one.
“Will not be back until set-up changes. Such a shame by the way about Germany as it has the potential to be amazing.
“Great venue and packed crowds every day. Set-up must change though.”
Despite his frustration, Allen opened the tournament in style with a dominant 5-0 win over David Lilley.
He later revealed that he had skipped previous events to sharpen his game ahead of the World Championship in Sheffield this May.
The Northern Irish snooker star Allen, nicknamed The Pistol, has won 11 ranking titles throughout his career.
The 2022/23 season was a strong one for Allen after reaching four ranking finals of which he won three to climb to world number three.
A year later, he was ranked world number one from May to August 2024.
Interestingly, snooker was not Allen’s first-choice sport, having considered becoming a footballer.
Allen had trials with both Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest but eventually settled on the snooker table.
