Featured Image Credit: Getty / Eurosport
Topics: Snooker
Ryan Smart
Ronnie O'Sullivan has slammed the venue that is hosting the Masters as 'disgusting', and says he 'can't wait to get out' after the tournament ends.
O'Sullivan has won both of his matches so far at the event, beating Ding Junhui 6-4 in round one before a tense 6-3 win over Barry Hawkins in the quarter final.
The seven-time world champion was furious with how he played against Hawkins - so much so that he apologised to his opponent after the game for being 'awful'.
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In his post-match interview with the BBC, meanwhile, he entered the studio wearing a thick coat.
And the reason behind that decision was outlined by O'Sullivan, who presented his hard-hitting opinions about the Alexandra Palace venue.
He said (quotes via BBC Sport): "I just don't like this place. I find it disgusting.
"Everywhere is dirty. It's cold. It's freezing - I have to wear my coat everywhere. You go through car parks, there are bins.
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"Honestly, it just makes me feel ill. I'm a bit of a clean freak and when I come here, it gives me the heebie-jeebies. I just can't wait to get out of here."
It isn't the first time 'The Rocket' has publicly criticised a snooker venue.
He once described the K2 Centre in Crawley, which hosted the English Open, as a 'hellhole', and said in 2019 that 'every day in Crawley is a day lost in my life'.
And in 2015, he called a Cardiff venue that hosted the Welsh Open a 'shambles' and 'like a car boot sale'.
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An Alexandra Palace spokesperson responded to O'Sullivan complaints, telling BBC Sport: "We love hosting the Masters and welcoming all the players and fans to the Palace.
"We work tirelessly to provide an arena and atmosphere that this great event deserves.
"We've been proud of the overwhelming positive feedback the venue has received in recent years, and it's obviously disappointing that Ronnie feels differently.
"We hope we can change his mind and that he enjoys the rest of his tournament here."
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The World Snooker Tour, meanwhile, says the venue, which has hosted the Masters since 2012, has been received with 'unanimous positivity' by all other players, and cited the tournament's record ticket sales this year.
The Alexandra Palace recently hosted the World Darts Championship, which culminated on January 4 with Luke Humphries' 7-4 win over 16-year-old Luke Littler in the final.
O'Sullivan's next match at the venue will be his semi-final clash on Saturday against Shaun Murphy, after 'The Magician' beat Jack Lisowski 6-3 on Thursday.