Furious Kyren Wilson hits out at WST over TV table snub as World Champion

Kyren Wilson launched a remarkable social media tirade over what he feels is inferior treatment at tournaments as World Champion.

Wilson was knocked out of the British Open in Cheltenham by Elliot Slessor in the Last 16 on Thursday and took to social media to air his frustrations over being ‘demoted’ to Table Two.

Wilson posted on Instagram: ‘Same sh*t different day, demoted to table 2 again and get found out! What benefits does a world champion get nowadays? Graveyard shift in Brentwood, table 2 in Saudi every game whilst being the number 1 seed there! table 2 tonight in Cheltenham and being the highest ranked in the session… unfortunately nothing ever changes with the sport I love, if your face doesn’t fit… tough.’

It is not the first time ‘The Warrior’ has been omitted from the main TV table this season, with the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump taking precedence over the current Crucible king.

Wilson, who claimed the Xi’an Grand Prix title last month, was beaten by Barry Hawkins in the Last 16 of the English Open last week, with the match finishing close to 1am.

The 32-year-old doubled down on his statement by posting on X on Friday morning, adding: ‘People can have their opinions, Always been that you earn the right for the privileges. Apparently not anymore. I always try to promote the sport & be a good ambassador for it, What’s the point?’

Wilson’s previous two matches in Cheltenham – against Duane Jones in the Last 64 and Marco Fu in the Last 32 – were both played on the main TV table, but his Last 16 tie was held on Table Two, with Mark Selby versus Thepchaiya Un-Nooh selected as the main pick by ITV4.

Broadcasters liaise with WST over table selections and ordinarily have the final say over which matches they wish to feature.

Twelve-time Women’s World Champion Reanne Evans posted in response to Wilson’s tweet: [Mark] ‘Williams wasn’t even on posters and got same treatment when he was world champ.’ to which Williams replied: ‘Didn’t make any posters, table 5 in China.’

WATCH THE BRITISH OPEN STREAMED LIVE HERE

18+ | T&Cs Apply | Geo restrictions may apply | Please Gamble Responsibly