Shaun Murphy has made a firm decision on his snooker future following his heartbreaking defeat in the World Championship final. The Magician fell short in a dramatic deciding frame against Wu Yize at the Crucible, but insists he will come back stronger next season.
Pride Despite Pain
Murphy, 42, was visibly gutted after missing out on a second world title, yet he was brimming with pride and free of regrets. He said: "It's a funny one because I'm obviously gutted and very upset that I've lost, but I'm very, very proud of how I played in the whole tournament. I can't be too hard on myself. I fought and I fought and I gave and I sacrificed and I gave everything I had and I just fell short."
He added: "I don't feel like I lost the match, I feel like Wu Yize won the match. I thought we put on a great show. Wu is one of the most talented players I've ever seen and, I hate being right about things like this. I said after we played in China a few months ago that he would be World Champion. I'm delighted for him, I'm absolutely heartbroken for me."
A Season to Build On
Reflecting on his campaign, Murphy noted: "I couldn't have tried any harder for the whole tournament. I should have lost the first match against Fan Zhengyi and then, once I found my stride, I felt like I played really, really well, including the Final. Everything's pointed in the right direction for my team. Everything is looking positive. The only negative is that I'm not taking the trophy home but I got very, very close."
He continued: "I'm back up into the top-end of the rankings from a standing start last season. I've had a really good season, possibly my best ever. To win and to be in more finals, the semis of the UK, got to the Final here and all the rest of it. The indicators are all going in the right direction."
Looking Ahead
Murphy plans a short break before resuming his snooker commitments. "I will allow myself a little break now, although I've got plenty of shows in the next few weeks. I won't really go away from snooker, but I'll have a bit of a break and, once I've mended my heart, I'll come back next season. I've never been in a deciding frame at the World Final and I don't want to be in another one. It was highly unpleasant. But we're all addicted to snooker and we'll all be back next year."
The Deciding Frame
Murphy reflected on the final moments: "I have to say I thought my chance had gone in the previous frame where he was in on 40 or 50 and missed the black off the spot. I was preparing what I was going to say as the runner-up there and somehow dug out what's one of the best clearances I've ever made."
He added: "You are just begging for a chance. I got a little chance first start of the frame. It wasn't really nice. I messed it up and ran out of position. But I played a good safety shot. We battled it for a few minutes and as I say I tried to make the best of a situation."
"I thought I was a bit unlucky to finish hampered by the yellow and the green. I couldn't do anything. The shot I played was the best shot I could find. I knew I was leaving that tempter to the middle pocket. If he misses it, he loses. Unfortunately for me, he got it."
"I had the best seat in the house for the red with the rest which went straight in the middle of the pocket. I knew then that it was over. It was such a good table. If you wanted a good chance to win the first World Championship that was it, but I have to give him credit. I don't feel like I've done a great deal wrong in the whole match. It was 35 frames of top-flight snooker. Unfortunately there has to be a loser."
