Gary Wilson exited the UK Championship qualifiers on Tuesday after an unexpected 6-4 loss to Andres Petrov in Sheffield.
But a day later, the pair has been involved in an unusual tit-for-tat concerning Petrov’s toilet habits during the match at Ponds Forge.
Footage of Wilson approaching the referee after losing the sixth frame to go 5-1 behind emerged on social media on Wednesday.
“He doesn’t need to go to the toilet,” Wilson complained to the official moments after Petrov had swapped the qualifying cubicle for one in the restroom.
“He’s been the first frame, he’s been the first frame after the interval, and he just went there again now. He doesn’t need the toilet.”
The issue of bathroom breaks and how many should be allowed during a match has long been a hot topic within the sport, and the former ranking event runner-up believed gamesmanship was involved.
Not long after completing his surprise victory against the higher seed, tour rookie Petrov sarcastically remarked on Twitter that it was a “class act from a top player. I would love to have him as my gastroenterologist.”
The Estonian later defended himself by saying he had been experiencing stomach problems during the encounter.
But Wilson advised his younger opponent: “I would make the referee and tournament office aware of your stomach issue in future if that’s the case.”
“That way, she (the referee) could have told me this when I questioned the breaks, no issue at all then. Of course a one off thing is understandable if that’s what you say it was…”
I think about it for the sake of gamesmanship in our sport, that’s obviously all. Your responses here are really quite immature tbh. If I believe there is an issue in a match, I have every right to inform the referee of it, then it’s up to them if they do anything. Very simple. https://t.co/ytlPUMs33R
— Gary Wilson (@Gary_Wilson11) November 9, 2022
I believed I could get them against you. I win frames quite often needing 5-6 snookers, and I have every right to try to do so against yourself. Very bitter responses it seems from you if i’m honest, I had issue with the amount you left the arena yes, but this is just nonsense.🤣 https://t.co/eQ3jk5nmKH
— Gary Wilson (@Gary_Wilson11) November 9, 2022
Andres Petrov, who gained his tour card by winning the EBSA European Amateur Championship, will continue his attempt to reach the venue stages of the UK Championship on Thursday.
Having emerged from the first qualifying round at the weekend, the 26 year-old takes on Xiao Guodong with a spot in the last 32 in York at stake.
Featured photo credit: WPBSA
