May 9th 2024.
Kyren Wilson played exceptionally well in the difficult conditions at the Crucible this year. Many players noted that the pockets were not as generous as in previous years, but not everyone was convinced. Stephen Hendry, for one, didn't seem to have much sympathy for those complaining about the tight pockets.
The general consensus among players at the Crucible was that the pockets were tighter than usual, which was evident in the lack of big breaks throughout the tournament. Only 63 centuries were made this year, compared to 90 last year and over 100 in previous years. Even the champion, Kyren Wilson, admitted that the pockets were tight, especially on the two-table set-up during the early rounds.
However, some players noticed a change in pocket size during the later stages of the tournament. Wilson himself mentioned that the pockets seemed to open up more on the one-table set-up, possibly due to a change in cloth. This observation was echoed by Shaun Murphy, who also felt that the pockets had been made smaller without the players' consultation.
In fairness, the players were not using the pocket size as an excuse for poor performances, but rather as an observation about the difficulty of the conditions. Many top players, such as Ronnie O'Sullivan, welcomed the challenge of tighter pockets as it forced them to be more accurate. Others, like Stephen Maguire and Stuart Bingham, also acknowledged the difficulty but saw it as an opportunity to showcase the true skill required in the game.
However, Hendry was not convinced by the players' comments, pointing out that many of the top players failed to perform on the big stage this year. He also questioned the lack of communication between the players and the decision-makers regarding the change in pocket size.
According to World Snooker Tour, there was an opportunity for players to give feedback on the new tables at the beginning of the season. But as Murphy pointed out, there was no consultation with the players before making the pockets smaller. Despite this, the players remained professional and accepted the challenge, leading to a thrilling and unpredictable tournament.
In the end, it was Kyren Wilson who emerged victorious, proving that he could handle the tough conditions at the Crucible. And while some players may have struggled with the tight pockets, it only added to the drama and magic of the tournament, making it one of the most memorable World Snooker Championships in recent years.
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