Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump failed to attend the mandatory press event for the World Snooker Championship on Friday, sparking criticism from fellow players and raising the possibility of disciplinary action. The seven-time champion and the 2019 winner were absent from the traditional photo of the world's top 16 outside the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with reasons for their no-shows unclear.
The absence of O'Sullivan, in particular, shifted the focus away from the tournament's long-term deal at the Crucible and the defending champion Zhao Xintong's status as favourite. Shaun Murphy, the 2005 champion, expressed disappointment, stating: 'I think it's become normal that they don't turn up for these types of things... It would be more strange for us if they were here.' Murphy added that the pair's behaviour could create an 'image problem' for them personally.
Despite the controversy, the tournament sees a record 11 Chinese players in the 32-man field, including Zhao, who became China's first world champion last year. However, attention is also on emerging British talent, with Yorkshiremen Stan Moody, 19, and Liam Pullen, 20, qualifying for the first time, alongside Poland's Antoni Kowalski, 22.
Murphy, who mentored Moody, noted the potential for a 'Luke Littler-style effect' if the young players succeed, inspiring more UK youngsters to take up snooker. 'If you see one of your own, in terms of age, doing something you think, I can do that,' he said. O'Sullivan is scheduled to begin his campaign on Tuesday against qualifier He Guoqiang.
