That match was originally thought to be one that Ding Junhui could easily win, after all, he had performed exceptionally well in previous matches and was in excellent form. However, the final result shocked everyone as Ding Junhui lost 3-4 to Brecel and failed to reach the semi-finals.
The development of events was very dramatic. Ding Junhui started the match smoothly, firmly controlling the situation with a 3-1 lead. Just as he was preparing to steadily advance towards victory, a fatal mistake occurred in the fifth round. This mistake allowed Brecel to seize the opportunity, quickly turn the tide, and win three consecutive games, ultimately reversing the match.
Such a result undoubtedly made Ding Junhui extremely disappointed because he not only missed the opportunity to enter the semi-finals but also ended his eight-match winning streak against Brecel, truly breaking a record—though this is a record no one wants to break.
But before the shadow of the match defeat had dissipated, Ding Junhui directly vented his anger on the event organizers. After the match, Ding Junhui did not hold back and openly criticized the organizers of the Scottish Open through social media. He bluntly stated that the quality of the tables used in the competition was worrying, even describing them as nothing more than a pile of amateur tables. He mentioned that the elasticity of the tables, especially at the cushions, made him very dissatisfied, like springs, such abnormal rebounds completely affected the normal progress of the game.
Ding Junhui angrily questioned: You say this is a professional event, how can you use such equipment for professional players to compete? His words were filled with dissatisfaction and questioning towards the event organizers.
These words immediately sparked widespread attention, with netizens expressing their opinions and supporting Ding Junhui's point of view. Some even jokingly said: You say this is a professional event, but the tables aren't even professional, where does the professionalism come from?
This incident not only allowed Ding Junhui to vent his personal emotions but also sparked a broader discussion about the quality of snooker professional events. People began to pay attention, and more and more began to question the hardware facilities of the event, believing that if the competition environment cannot meet the basic needs of professional players, how can the competition present the highest level?
In fact, Ding Junhui's anger was not groundless. In recent years, with the surge in the number of snooker events, although there are more types of events, the quality has become inconsistent. The hardware facilities and prize money investment of many events apparently have not kept up with the overall development speed of the competitions. A typical example is these competition tables, which are of questionable quality, and sometimes even the environment, lighting, temperature control, etc., of some competitions cannot meet the standards of professional events.
This not only makes the players feel uncomfortable during the competition but also seriously affects the fairness and professionalism of the competition. Some netizens commented: The competition equipment is poor, yet they are unwilling to give out prize money, treating professional events as a joke!
Is this still called a professional event? Indeed, the hardware facilities of the competition directly relate to the quality of the competition and also directly affect the performance of the players. If the competition environment is unstable, the opportunity for players to perform at their best is greatly reduced, which is unfair to any professional player.
But what exactly is going on with the event organizers? This incident once again exposes the lack of investment by the event organizers. The organizers clearly did not invest enough in the tables and other competition facilities. The conditions of the competition and the rights and interests of the players seem to have not been given enough attention. Even fans mentioned: Since they are unwilling to spend money to improve the quality of the equipment, how can they expect the players to go all out?
This is not a professional event but a grassroots event. Although such remarks may seem extreme, they do reveal a worrying reality—if the event itself cannot even ensure the most basic fairness and professionalism, can it still be considered a true professional event?
A netizen also posted a lengthy article on social media, stating that the event organizers do not pay attention to the needs of the players, the equipment quality is poor, and the prize money is not generous, making the efforts and dedication of the players in the competition meaningless. He also said: The significance of the event is to provide players with a better stage to showcase their abilities and allow fans to see more exciting matches. How can the competition be interesting if even the basic infrastructure cannot be guaranteed?
His words, though sharp, indeed pointed out the core of the problem from the perspective of a fan. Ding Junhui's remarks undoubtedly sounded the alarm for the event organizers. Faced with an increasing number of criticisms and doubts, whether the event organizers can truly listen to the voices of the players and fans and improve the facilities and hardware conditions of the event remains unknown.
Ding Junhui's anger and the support of the fans also indicate that if the event organizers continue to ignore these issues, it is not only the players who will be angry, but the trust of the audience and other participants will gradually disappear as well.
Ding Junhui's defeat also made fans start to pay more attention to the overall quality of snooker events. Some netizens suggested that if the organizers cannot improve, then China can completely take over hosting these events. Our country's snooker event organization and management experience is rich, and the facilities are impeccable; we can definitely do it better.
Indeed, in recent years, the development momentum of China's snooker events has been strong, gradually becoming professionalized from hardware facilities to prize money settings, and already has the ability to host international events. China has long had experience in organizing and managing sports events, and the facility levels are high. If more international events can be introduced, it will not only enhance the overall quality of the events but also bring a better experience for both players and fans.
In any case, Ding Junhui's defeat and criticism of the event organizers have revealed some deep-seated problems in the quality of snooker professional events. If the event continues to compromise on hardware facilities and does not pay attention to the needs and rights of the players, the future of this sport may face significant challenges.
As Ding Junhui said: This is not a professional event but a hasty arrangement. It is hoped that the organizers can take these issues seriously and substantially improve the quality of the events, allowing snooker, this ancient sport, to rejuvenate on the modern stage.
Some netizens summarized: A professional event is not just about providing a venue for the competition but also about providing a fair and just competitive environment for the players. Only in this way can snooker become a true world-class sport. The quality of the event is related to the performance of the players and the promotion and development of snooker. If this sport is to go further, the hardware and management of the events must be fundamentally improved.