Former world champion Shaun Murphy has launched a stinging critique of snooker's biggest British stars, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump, labelling them as poor ambassadors for the sport over recent years. The criticism comes after both players failed to attend the media day for this year's World Championship in Sheffield, leaving hundreds of fans disappointed as they waited in the rain on the eve of the tournament's commencement on Saturday.
Media Snub and Fan Disappointment
The two snooker icons also missed the green carpet ceremony, a key promotional event, with Murphy expressing his dismay at their absence. "I think it's a real shame," Murphy stated. "They probably could both have done a little bit more to help promote the game over the years." He added that it has become normalised for O'Sullivan and Trump to skip such occasions, but he remains puzzled by their decisions.
Absence from Social Events
Murphy further revealed that the players did not attend the champions dinner either, describing it as a special evening where stories from former world champions like Cliff Thorburn were shared. "I've got no idea, but none of us [the players] are shocked by it," Murphy commented. "It would be more strange for us if they were here, which is saying something."
O'Sullivan's Low Profile and Ambitions
Ronnie O'Sullivan, known as 'The Rocket', has maintained a notably low profile ahead of his bid to secure a record eighth Crucible crown this season. He is set to begin his title challenge against Chinese debutant He Guoqiang on Tuesday. Despite doing no press in the build-up to the event, O'Sullivan has occasionally spoken about his desire to win an eighth world title.
Ranking and Odds
Currently ranked 12th in the world, O'Sullivan is priced at 7/1 to win the tournament this year. The last time he was ranked as low and had such long odds was during the 2012 World Championship, which he ultimately won. His recent form includes a 6-0 victory over old foe John Higgins in the final of the John Virgo Trophy exhibition event in Ireland last weekend.
Player Agreements and Limited UK Presence
Both O'Sullivan and Trump have agreements with the UK government that restrict the number of days they can spend in the country after relocating to Dubai in the past year. O'Sullivan is rarely seen in the UK these days, with his only appearance on British soil this season being at the UK Championship, where he was eliminated in the first round.
Higgins' Perspective
Four-time world champion John Higgins, who could potentially face O'Sullivan in the second round, offered a contrasting view. "I think Ronnie can have a big say on this tournament," Higgins said. "He looks in good nick. He was striking the ball well over there." This highlights the mixed opinions within the snooker community regarding O'Sullivan's impact and presence.
Overall, Murphy's comments underscore ongoing concerns about the promotional efforts of top players in snooker, with O'Sullivan and Trump's absences sparking debate about their roles as ambassadors for the sport.
