Luca Brecel has delivered a scathing assessment of the new generation of British snooker players, branding them "lazy" and claiming they are only interested in "social media and money".
Brecel's comments come after no British players under the age of 30 were seeded for the World Championship for the first time since the advent of 16 seeds in 1980. And the Belgian believes it is a sign of things to come, stating it will be "difficult for more players like [John] Higgins and [Mark] Williams to break through".
Aged 27, Brecel is one of six overseas players under the age of 30 competing at the tournament, with the other five players all from China. Meanwhile, the highest ranked British player under 30 is Sam Craigie, the world No 42.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Brecel said: "For the new generation [of British players] it's all about social media and money. These days they all seem so lazy and it will be difficult for more players like [John] Higgins and [Mark] Williams to break through."
He also rejected criticism of the 128 draw system, insisting players simply need to "accept it's going to take a long time to be good at something". He added: "I've heard a lot of players complain about the 128 [draws] but I think you just need to get on with it.
"You must accept it's going to take a long time to be good at something. Impatience is the word."
Brecel is set to face Thailand's Noppon Saengkham in the first round and he is feeling confident about his chances of progressing at the Crucible.
He has enjoyed an impressive season so far, having lost to Zhao Xintong in the final of the UK Championship and then won the Scottish Open by beating John Higgins in the final.
"I've got my problems out of the way on and off the table and I've had a different season this year," he said. "I feel like this year I've got my best chance to go far."
