Hawkins, who secured his place in the next round, voiced his dissatisfaction with the table's performance. According to Daily Express - Sport, Hawkins described the cushions as coming off much quicker than expected on the first day, making it hard to control the cue ball. He added that after four days of play, the table might become like a ping-pong table.
His opponent, Matthew Stevens, echoed these sentiments about the table conditions after their match. Hawkins suggested that open doors during installation might have let damp air affect the cushions, though the exact cause remains unclear. He also praised Ronnie O'Sullivan as the best at quickly adapting to such table conditions.
The World Snooker Tour issued a statement acknowledging challenges in providing optimal conditions, noting that their team works tirelessly and players can give feedback after every match. Hawkins will not return to the table until Friday, leaving it unknown if the cushions will be changed before then or how the conditions might affect upcoming matches. It is also uncertain whether other players have complained or what specific actions the tour will take to address the issues.