Mark Allen slates German Masters venue as Pistol hints he won't return to Tempodrom
Mark Allen has suggested he won't play at the German Masters again if changes aren't made to the layout of the Tempodrom.
The Berlin venue is renowned as one of the best in the snooker calendar, but 2018 Masters winner Allen isn't a fan - having previously said he has a "hate/hate relationship" with the event. And he doubled down on that criticism again after a second round exit to Scottish Open finalist Wu Yize, posting on social media site 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."
Whilst Berlin's Tempodrom provides a superb setting for the final, earlier stage matches are played with several tables surrounding the main television table in a circular pattern - which some players have previously said that they find distracting. Allen has been one of the fiercest critics, even claiming in 2018 that he wouldn't be back. On his social media he said: "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.
READ MORE: Shaun Murphy makes blunt snooker future claim as he reveals brutal impact of Masters success
READ MORE: I've won 11 snooker ranking titles – now I'm sacrificing everything for World Championship glory
"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." Allen had stared the competition with a clinical 5-0 success against David Lilley, revealing afterwards that he's sacrificing events to focus on a push for the world championship later this May.
He said: "All eyes are on Sheffield for me now. It has been that way for a while. I'm starting doing longer matches when practising. Not taking anything away from the events leading up, but I'll be experimenting here and there to see if I can get something to work. I am trying something very different this year. I am trying to find something that I believe will work in Sheffield."
