Chris Wakelin, currently ranked 12th in the world, has spoken out about what he calls a "massively unfair advantage" for top 16 snooker players in the current competitive landscape. Wakelin, 34, is part of the elite group of players and has enjoyed success this season, including winning last year's Scottish Open and performing strongly in other major tournaments. He points out that many of the world's top snooker events now use a tiered draw system, which means lower-ranked players must qualify to compete against the top 16 in the main events. This new format has led to qualification matches being held behind closed doors at Leicester's Mattioli Arena. Over the past two weeks, qualifiers for the Northern Ireland Open, International Championship in Nanjing, and the Scottish Open have taken place there. This has left lower-ranked players with limited opportunities to play competitive matches, which can affect their form and progress in the coming weeks. Wakelin, who doesn't have to compete in as many qualifiers as lower-ranked players, acknowledges that being in the top 16 provides a significant advantage. Top players can earn more money and ranking points by winning a single match at a main event than lower-ranked players who must win multiple matches just to qualify. He admits that qualifying is a crucial part of the sport but believes the current system disadvantages players trying to climb the rankings. Wakelin notes that he has only won four or five matches this season, while some players have won 10 or 15 matches without receiving the same amount of ranking points. He spent over a decade on the tour before reaching the top 16 and acknowledges the rewards that come with being in that elite group. However, he also recognizes the effort and dedication required to achieve that status, noting that many players work hard throughout their careers without ever reaching that level. At next week's Shenzhen Open, Wakelin will face Liam Davies, a 20-year-old Welsh player who has won 19 matches in ranking events this season. Davies has been in strong form during qualifiers and may be favored against Wakelin due to his recent success. Wakelin praises Davies and other young players for their talent and potential, noting that they are gaining valuable experience by competing against seasoned players. He expresses support for their progress and is looking forward to a challenging match in Shenzhen.