World Snooker Tour bosses have been forced to defend their staff after Barry Hawkins sensationally moaned the hallowed Crucible conditions resembled a chaotic ping-pong table.The response follows the 46-year-olds scrappy 10-4 victory over Welsh qualifier Matthew Stevens on Saturday. Despite his first main-draw win since 2021, the No 11 seed bizarrely claimed "fresh air" ruined the cloth.Refusing to ignore the veterans explosive outburst, a WST spokesperson said: There are always challenges in providing the best possible conditions for players as there are many factors which affect this.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayStanding behind their crew, they added: Our dedicated team of table fitters work tirelessly in delivering the best possible conditions and they are constantly monitoring the tables.We have systems in place where players can give feedback after every match.Neither managed a century, with Hawkins peaking at 99. Infuriated by bouncy cushions, he said: I dont like slating the conditions, really, because the fitters do a great job.I dont know if its their fault or not, but the cushions for day one, theyre just coming off so much quicker than theyre going on.Its obviously hard to control the cue ball then, especially if youre not cueing well and stuff. You lose the cue ball a bit more often.LATEST SPORTS NEWS:Roy Keane snaps at Gary Neville and Micah Richards after seismic Man City win over ArsenalBryson DeChambeau pulls out of LIV Golf event days after complaining about conditionsSnooker legend Shaun Murphy explains real reason he snubbed BBC punditry job for World ChampionshipObviously, you lose confidence then and all of a sudden your cueing goes. I think we both struggled with that on [Saturday]."Elaborating further, he added: It does take a bit of time. The best person who gets used to the table quickly that Ive ever seen is Ronnie [OSullivan]. He can adapt so quickly.When the balls are coming off fast, I mean Ive seen a lot of players play shots and theyve stopped in their tracks. They cant believe where the whites gone.So, it knocks your confidence a little bit and then, all of a sudden, you start second-guessing yourself how to play the shots.One minute youre in position and the next minute youre out of position. End of break.When you start getting in a flow and knocking breaks in and getting confidence and thats when you see the big breaks going in.I dont know what its going to be like when people are coming in on Tuesday when theyve had four days play. Its going to be like a ping-pong table.Maybe theyll change the cushions. I dont know. Sometimes they do. They have a spare set and a few days in, sometimes theyll change.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter