Mark Selby joins Ronnie O'Sullivan in slamming Masters crowd after 'brain dead' incident
Mark Selby has become the latest Masters star after Ronnie O'Sullivan to hit out at the crowd.
Mark Selby has joined Ronnie O’Sullivan in stating his dislike for the Alexandra Palace crowd during the Masters after a "brain dead" incident on Wednesday evening. The Jester from Leicester was on top form in his 6-1 win over Robert Milkins in the first round, but one small blip caused by those in attendance caused frustrations to boil over.
Selby had been in command at 3-0 but missed a simple red to the bottom corner thanks to a loud noise from inside the Century Club. The area allows fans to talk, eat and drink while the match is being played but on this occasion, a dropped plate was loud enough to disturb Selby.
The three-time Masters champion was livid and flung his cue in the air as he walked away from the table. Selby then hit out at the Century Club and insisted that it is “brain dead” that the area is not sound-proofed.
“On the way through [on the shot] and someone dropped cutlery or a plate and I was so frustrated,” Selby told Eurosport. “I knew it was a big frame and I thought if I pot that, the way I was playing, I fancied winning the frame. The difference between 4-0 and 3-1 is massive.
“It [the Century Club] is great but how can they not sound-proof it? It’s brain dead, I can’t understand. You shouldn’t be able to hear the noise, however much noise they’re making.”
However, Selby did go on to win the frame despite the disruption as he cruised into a quarter-final against Mark Allen. The 40-year-old made breaks of 119, 53, 63, 70 and 74 but still vented his frustration at those sat in the venue’s luxury seats.
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— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 10, 2024
Mark Selby irritated by noise from the crowd during his shot ⚫#TheMasters pic.twitter.com/eNN6541bHY
Selby has not been the only one to complain about supporters inside the arena, as O’Sullivan admitted that he does not enjoy the “rowdiness” after defeating Ding Junhui in the first round.
“I embrace the pressure,” O’Sullivan said as he discussed the Ally Pally crowd. “I embrace all that stuff that comes with being a winner. I embrace it as a privilege. It’s what you need to win. I’ve reinvented myself over the years and that’s what I’ve had to do. I don’t like the rowdiness of the Ally Pally crowd really, but you have to embrace it. It’s a part of it.”
But both O’Sullivan and Selby were able to rally despite their grievances with the crowd, joining an all-British quarter-final lineup alongside Allen, Jack Lisowski, Barry Hawkins, Shaun Murphy, Ali Carter and Judd Trump. But it remains to be seen whether efforts will be made to quieten the notorious fans inside Ally Pally.