KYREN WILSON has blamed darts fans for complicating his Masters prep.
World No2 Wilson, 34, will be among a star-studded field when the famous Triple Crown event gets going at the Ally Pally on Sunday.
Venue bosses will only have had eight days to straighten things up since the World Darts Championship final on January 3.
And Wilson joked that the remnants of Luke Littler‘s win – and the celebrations that followed – have made it tricky to get settled.
He told 247Bet: “The Masters is a real showpiece event now for snooker, but it is hard for players to settle in there.
“It’s quite unique in terms of a playing environment. It’s hard wading through all those empty beer barrels that all of the darts fans have gone through!”
Darts’ showpiece event is well-known for being a boozy affair.
It’s estimated that at least half a million pints are sunk over the course of the tournament, with fans decked out in fancy dress and belting out songs.
The Masters is staged at the same North London arena but there’s no pint-necking, Ali G costumes or Mr. Brightside from the snooker fans.
That hasn’t stopped the Ally Pally becoming synonymous with the event, which it first hosted in 2012, and Wilson, who faces Si Jiahui on Tuesday, wants those bonds to become even stronger.
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He said: “When something isn’t broken, don’t fix it.
“So whilst the Masters is still growing in numbers at the Ally Pally, we should just leave it where it is because it’s becoming recognised by people as the home of the Masters.”
Many snooker fans will have hoped to catch a glimpse of Ronnie O’Sullivan at this year’s Masters.
The Rocket, 50, has won more Masters titles than any other player and was expected to be in the draw until he pulled out for medical reasons on Friday night.
O’Sullivan, who also withdrew from last year’s tournament for the same reason, will be replaced by Chris Wakelin.
