Williams hits out at game’s rankings
Triple world champion Mark Williams slammed snooker’s ranking system after winning machine Judd Trump was knocked off the top spot.
The Juddernaught has been by far and away the game’s best player over the past few seasons with 11 ranking titles in the last two campaigns and 15 trophies, including the prestigious Masters, since the 2018 Northern Ireland Open.
But Trump’s shock last-32 defeat to Elliot Slessor at this week’s British Open saw the 2019 world champion relinquish his position at the top of the sport.
But Williams said: “It just shows you can’t have a money ranking list – it just doesn’t work.
“Judd should be so far in front at number one with the competitions he’s won over the past couple of years.
“The system is too top heavy. You get £500,000 for one competition – the World Championship – and the rest of the events are nowhere near.
“It’s really silly having a money list when it’s so top heavy.”
World champion
Mark Selby reclaimed the world No. 1 spot after Trump’s devastating defeat ruined his birthday.
And after being overtaken Trump admitted: “There’s nothing I can do. I’ve won enough tournaments to be world No. 1, there’s only so many tournaments you can win.
“I’ve won 11 ranking tournaments in the last two seasons and I’m not No. 1 so hard lines.”
Meanwhile, David Gilbert suffered frustration as his British Open titlehopes were ended in Leicester.
The former World Championship semifinalist slipped to a frustrating 4-3 defeat to compatriot Gary Wilson.
Ricky Walden bowed out at the quarter-final stage after a 4-3 loss to Williams, while Chinese young gun Zhou Yuelong was edged 4-3 by Elliot Slessor.