Sanjin Pehlivanovic has revealed his disappointment on social media after being ignored for a World 10-Ball Championship invitation, despite reaching last year’s Las Vegas Open final.
Pehlivanovic, who is also the reigning European 10-ball champion, was not included in the 64-player field for the lucrative invitational, which takes place from February 27 to March 2 in Las Vegas.
An official qualifying criteria for the World 10-Ball Championship, hosted by the Predator Pro Billiard Series but sanctioned by the WPA, is not known but the tournament is promoted as a solely invitational event.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Pehlivanovic reached the final of last year’s World 8-Ball Championship in Puerto Rico, also sanctioned by the WPA, and took to Facebook on Tuesday to put across his frustrations.
“I have got a lot of messages where I am, why I am not competing etc, so I felt to make a post,” Pehlivanovic began. “The real question would be for the WPA, who I still haven’t received a reply from.
“After being second place at the last Predator WPA World Championship, ranked number 20 on WPA rankings and European 10-ball champion, it is really sad and disappointing that I haven’t been invited to this year’s World 10-Ball Championship.
“I feel in the best form of my life, I am focused, I am dedicated but I guess my achievements and my current ranking wasn’t good enough!
“I mean no disrespect to the people who are working hard in this sport, but shame on you WPA for zero response to your ranked 20 player. I may not deserve a spot in a 64-player field but I do deserve a reply.
“Looking ahead to the future, I am excited for my first event this May which will be the UK Open. Plenty of time for gym and enjoying myself until May. I will be ready and stronger.”
