Shaun Murphy has criticised Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump for failing to do more to promote their sport after the high-profile duo skipped the official media day on the eve of the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.
O’Sullivan and Trump could face fines from the sport’s governing body after failing to show up for the traditional pre-tournament event, at which the top 16 seeds gather for a photo shoot and interviews with press and broadcasters.
Murphy said: “I think it’s become normal that they don’t turn up for these types of things. I think it’s a real shame, and they probably could both have done a little bit more to help promote the game over the years.
“I think it might give those two an image problem when the public tag onto that and realise that two of the biggest stars of the game weren’t here for the opening day. It’s a strange one.”
O’Sullivan and Trump are due to start in the tournament on Tuesday against He Guoqiang and Gary Wilson respectively. O’Sullivan recently indicated his intention to travel into the tournament from a base in Ireland, while Trump has been training in Thailand.
O’Sullivan, who could surpass Stephen Hendry and become a record eight-time champion, has rejected all media requests in the build-up and will not be involved in his regular punditry role with TNT Sports.
Zhao Xintong will begin the tournament against qualifier Liam Highfield on Saturday morning as he looks to beat the so-called “Crucible curse” and become the first first-time champion at the venue to successfully defend his crown.
Mark Allen begins his quest for an elusive first world crown against China’s Zhang Anda also on Saturday morning, while former champion Mark Williams will start his match against the first ever Polish qualifier, Antoni Kowalski, on Saturday afternoon.
Allen, a two-time semi-finalist who has often flattered to deceive at the Crucible, says he will take confidence from recent form as he looks to improve a patchy record in the tournament on the back of two successive second-round defeats.
“I feel like I’ve been playing some good stuff recently and I’m more confident than I was probably six weeks ago coming into this,” said Allen.
“I’ve come here for many years on the back of very good performances and a good season and not done very well.
“I’m trying to take inspiration from Kyren (Wilson), who didn’t have the best of seasons and then won here quite comfortably. Ultimately if I play my best snooker I’ve got a chance, and I’ll always believe that.”
The first day’s schedule is completed by an all-Chinese match between Xiao Guodong and Zhou Yuelong while former finalist Barry Hawkins faces Matthew Stevens, a former two-time finalist making his first appearance at the Crucible since 2022.
Xiao and Zhou are two more of a record 11 Chinese contenders but Allen believes the respective debuts of the likes of Stan Moody and Liam Pullen indicates the future of the game in the UK is in good hands.
“You can normally hand-pick a couple of qualifiers you’d like to play but you can’t do that any more,” added Allen. “The strength of the game is great now.
“It winds me up that there are still people from yesteryear who think their era was better – you’re having a laugh.”
