Snooker star Shaun Murphy has opened up about a three-decade-long rift with fellow player Ronnie O'Sullivan, stemming from an incident when Murphy was just a child. The current Masters champion revealed he still harbours resentment over alleged 'verbal abuse' he suffered at the age of 12.
The Origins of a Snooker Rivalry
In a discussion for the book Pots of Gold: A History of Snooker with journalist David Hendon, Murphy detailed the fallout. 'We fell out when I was young,' Murphy shared. 'Ronnie verbally abused me when I was 12 and I never forgave him. I vividly remember it.' The two have known each other since the 1990s, with O'Sullivan, now 50, being seven years older than the 43-year-old Murphy.
By the time Murphy turned professional towards the end of that decade, O'Sullivan—nicknamed 'the Rocket'—was already a dominant force in the sport, having secured seven ranking titles by 1999. Despite the personal grievance, Murphy was quick to acknowledge O'Sullivan's unparalleled talent on the table.
Respect for Talent, Criticism for Ambassadorship
'I still have immense respect for his levels of play as a snooker player,' Murphy stated. 'I watch in awe at the things he's able to do, because I know how hard it is. His ability as a player is completely unmatched.' However, his criticism shifted to O'Sullivan's role off the baize.
Murphy contrasted O'Sullivan with tennis icons like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who he believes have actively promoted their sport. He argued that O'Sullivan, as the sport's biggest draw, has not used his platform to similar effect. 'He's the biggest needle-mover in the sport, the biggest we've ever seen,' Murphy declared, suggesting this status has afforded O'Sullivan leniency from snooker authorities over the years.
Murphy expressed disappointment, stating: 'I think it's such a shame that he hasn't done for snooker in his ambassadorial position the things that people he says he looks up to... have done.' He added that O'Sullivan could have 'single-handedly dragged snooker into a different stratosphere in terms of popularity' if he had chosen to.
Legacy and the Road Ahead
The feud shows no sign of a public resolution as both players prepare for the Masters tournament. Murphy begins his title defence against Wu Yize on Sunday, while O'Sullivan faces Neil Robertson on Wednesday. The long-standing personal conflict adds a compelling layer of narrative to their professional pursuits in one of snooker's most prestigious events.
Murphy's admiration for the professionalism of former champion Steve Davis further highlights his critique. He suggested that being the greatest entails more than just sporting skill, implying O'Sullivan's legacy is marred by missed opportunities to champion the game that made him famous.
