Importance Score: 30 / 100 🔵
Vafaei Addresses On-Court Reaction Following Tense Victory
Snooker professional Hossein Vafaei has responded to criticism regarding his animated celebration during his narrow 10-9 victory over Barry Hawkins. The Iranian player has since issued an apology for his conduct, clarifying that his emotional outburst was not aimed at his opponent in their recent match.
Vafaei Explains Decisive Frame Emotion
Speaking after the match, Vafaei described the intense pressure he felt during the final frame. “In that crucial moment of the deciding frame, my thoughts became negative,” he admitted. “I felt the need to change my approach. I needed to try something different and allow my competitive instincts to take over. It was a psychological technique to regain focus.”
Apology Issued to Opponent and Clarification on Intent
Vafaei expressed remorse for his actions, specifically directed towards his fellow competitor. “I must apologize to my opponent, Barry Hawkins,” Vafaei stated. “I was struggling to cope with the pressure. The weight of expectation was significant, and I was determined to avoid another early tournament exit in the first round. My reaction was intended purely as a motivational message to myself.”
Personal Motivation, Not Directed at Hawkins
“This was a personal reaction, and it was absolutely not intended to disrespect or target my opponent in any way,” Vafaei concluded, emphasizing that his behavior was a result of internal pressure and self-motivation tactics during a critical stage of the snooker match.