Recent Masters winner Mark Allen has said he will refuse to play in the German Masters in future years unless the table layout inside the arena changes.

Mark Allen. Picture by Monique Limbos

Allen tweeted after his surprising 5-4 defeat to Matthew Selt on the opening day of the competition on Wednesday night to say changes were needed as players were ‘distracted’ by events on the main table.

The world number 8 went as far to say he “seriously hated” the tournament – which many in the game give high praise to for its uniqueness and the packed crowds it attracts every year at its iconic home – the Tempodrom Arena.

During the early rounds of the tournament the arena features one main TV table with four other snooker tables surrounding it – meaning there can be five matches taking place in one single session, which was the case when Allen played Selt in the last 32 round tie.

How the Tempodrom looks during the early rounds of the German Masters. Picture by Monique Limbos

But Allen, who beat Kyren Wilson last month to lift his first ever Triple Crown trophy, said the layout was far too distracting for those p[layers not playing on the main TV table.

He tweeted: “So my hate/hate affair with the German Masters continues. Seriously hate the event!! So distracting for all players who aren’t on table 1. Will not be back at the event until the setup changes!! Shootout up next in a week/

“Such a shame by the way about Germany as it has the potential to be amazing!!! Great venue and packed crowds every day. Setup must change though.”

Allen also tweeted one snooker fan to say he has made his views clear on the German Masters table setup in previous years, not just this year.