Leading snooker professionals have issued stark warnings about mounting tournament boycotts if playing conditions fail to improve across the sport.
Judd Trump and Mark Selby, both board members of the recently established Professional Snooker Players Association, have voiced serious concerns about substandard venues and deteriorating standards.
The former world champions are spearheading calls for reform through the PSPA, which was created earlier this year as an independent body to advocate for player interests.
Trump has already withdrawn from multiple events and predicts an escalating pattern of non-participation across the tour.
Judd Trump has predicted more players will boycott snooker events in the future
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Both players have highlighted venue selection and playing conditions as critical issues requiring urgent attention from the World Snooker Tour and the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.
Trump disclosed that he chose not to compete in the Scottish and Welsh Opens during the previous season and plans to avoid them again this campaign.
He told Metro: "I think you're now seeing a lot more players skip events than they used to, just because certain events probably aren't fit for snooker."
Selby echoed these frustrations, revealing that his semi-final run at the English Open in Brentwood came despite what he called "conditions as bad as I've ever played in."
He drew parallels with elite football, stating: "It's like telling Man United to go and play on a football pitch and they've got mole holes everywhere and expect them to play to the top of their game."
Mark Selby echoed Judd Trump's concerns over snooker in its current state
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The four-time world champion particularly criticised the use of leisure centres as tournament venues, arguing that snooker's increased prize money should translate to better facilities.
The PSPA emerged earlier this year with four-time world champion John Higgins appointed as chairman.
He told the BBC: "We feel as though we've not been listened to as we should have been in recent years. The game has not moved forward with the times compared to other top sports."
The association's player board comprises Trump, Selby, Kyren Wilson, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen, Ali Carter, Stuart Bingham, Stephen Maguire, Gary Wilson, Joe Perry, Ryan Day, Barry Hawkins and Jack Lisowski. Lawyer Ben Rees serves as a director.
Higgins emphasised that the organisation seeks collaboration rather than confrontation with governing bodies.
"A lot of people think it's a breakaway and all these different things, but it couldn't be further from the truth," he said.
Judd Trump and Mark Selby are pleading with snooker bosses to improve conditions
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The WST has defended its venue selection process, stating that major tournaments including the Triple Crown Series and Tour Championship have experienced substantial growth at premier locations.
The organisation acknowledged the difficulties of matching practice room conditions in expansive tournament arenas.
"Players' personal practice conditions, in smaller rooms with very little change in climatic conditions and tables that have had a long time to settle in, will always be very difficult to replicate in the huge arenas that the sport is played in," the WST stated.
The governing body confirmed it has been soliciting player feedback for two years, leading to modifications at events in China and Germany. Regarding the PSPA, WST said: "We have been ready to speak to the PSPA since we first heard about it at the start of August and our door remains open."