January 13th 2024.
This week at Alexandra Palace, there have been some unwelcome guests making their presence known on the baize. The Ally Pally wasp has apparently decided to make a regular appearance at the World Darts Championship and Masters, but the players are starting to feel like it's overstayed its welcome.
During the Masters quarter-finals on Friday afternoon, Judd Trump and Ali Carter found themselves battling not only each other, but also the local insects that seemed to be out in full force. The reigning champion, in particular, seemed to be a favorite spot for the pesky wasps. Trump was constantly swatting them away, but one persistent insect managed to land on the back of his waistcoat and stay there for what seemed like an eternity.
Despite the distraction, Trump managed to maintain his focus and even went on to make an impressive century break with the wasp still clinging onto his back. It wasn't until the referee, Ben Williams, stepped in and removed the insect that it finally flew away. Carter, who had been watching the whole ordeal from his chair, admitted that he was tempted to do something about it, but didn't want to risk angering the wasp.
Carter jokingly suggested that the tournament organizers should call in Rentokil to deal with the wasp problem, as it has been an ongoing issue for years. Trump also expressed his frustration, stating that the constant interruptions from the insects make it difficult for players to find their rhythm and maintain a steady flow of play. He believes that something needs to be done to get rid of the wasps for the sake of the viewers and the players.
Although the wasps have yet to actually sting any of the players, Ross Smith was unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end during the World Darts Championship last month. In his match against Niels Zonneveld, Smith was stung three times by the persistent insect. He joked that he would probably end up looking like the Elephant Man the next day, but luckily the stings were on his left hand.
Despite the distractions and discomfort caused by the wasps, Trump made it clear that he was not using it as an excuse for his loss to Carter. He acknowledged that it was distracting, but ultimately stated that it wasn't the reason for his defeat.
Interestingly, even snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan has had his fair share of issues with Alexandra Palace. In the past, he has expressed his dislike for the venue and has even gone as far as to call it "disgusting." He has also stated that there are only two players who have never crumbled under the pressure of playing against him.
In the midst of all the drama and excitement of the darts and snooker championships at Alexandra Palace, the unexpected presence of these pesky wasps has certainly added an extra element of entertainment. However, it seems that both the players and the viewers would prefer if the Ally Pally wasps found a new home, allowing the athletes to focus solely on their game.
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