‘Give it a chance’ – Snooker star Ali Carter hits back after criticism over empty crowds at Saudi Arabia Masters

ALI CARTER has hit back at criticism regarding the sparse crowds at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters this week.

As the tournament in Riyadh has progressed to the last 32 the crowds have been quiet with only a few spectators present at the Green Halls to watch the matches.

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Snooker ace Carter came into the last 32 in Riyadh on Tuesday where he was defeated 5-3 by Elliott Slessor and lost his chance of taking home the £500,000 prize.

Prior to his loss the 45-year-old spoke about the criticism on the small crowds at the Green Halls and said that work needs to be done to build the sport in the region.

He said about the numbers attending to watch the tournament: "Pretty sparse. But it’s about building something here and that’s what we’re trying to do.

"This is the first year we’re here, they’ve laid it on big, we’re trying to build it up.

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"Obviously from the outside looking in, you turn on the tele and there’s no one here, but you’ve got to give it a chance.

"That’s all we’re here to do, promote the game, give a good account of ourselves and we’re all pleased to be here."

And "The Captain" expects numbers to increase now the top 16 have arrived.

He continued: "I’m sure it’ll get busier. Tournaments in the UK from the start with the lower-ranked players aren’t busy. When the top players come in it starts getting busier."

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There has been much talk of the possibility that the World Championship could move to Saudi Arabia after the contract with the Crucible ends in 2027.

But the worry of losing the atmosphere that crowds bring to the Cruicble has been on Carter's mind however he still remains optimistic.

He added: "I think from a player’s point of view we want to earn as much money as we can. If they bring the World Championship here it would be a massive event.

"But we also want to play in front of a packed crowd with an atmosphere.

";That gets the best out of the top players. Like at Ally Pally for the Masters, you get great matches because of the atmosphere and the crowd.

"That would be missing here at the moment, but Rome wasn’t built in a day."