Shaun Murphy has criticised fellow former world champions Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump for missing the launch of the 2026 World Championship in Sheffield.
This year’s players gathered in Tudor Square outside the Crucible Theatre on Friday for a green-carpet ceremony celebrating the relationship between snooker and Sheffield, before media commitments with press and broadcasters inside the venue.
But O’Sullivan and Trump did not appear and unless they can provide a valid reason for their absence, such as a medical issue, they face a sanction from the World Snooker Tour.
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.”
Trump won the world title in 2019 and will be one of the favourites the lift the trophy when the tournament gets going on Saturday. He begins his tournament against former semi-finallist Gary Wilson, who came through qualifying to reach this year’s event.
O’Sullivan is meanwhile chasing history as he seeks a record eighth world title, and the 50-year-old has recently recaptured some of his best form to be in with a chance of winning the Crucible showpiece for the first time since 2022.
O’Sullivan recently indicated his intention to travel into the tournament from a base in Ireland. He has rejected all media requests in the build-up and will not be involved in his regular punditry role with TNT Sports.
He begins his campaign against Chinese debutant He Guoqiang, who holds a winning record against the player widely regarded as the best of all time, having triumphed twice in their three past meetings.
If O’Sullivan gets through that match, then his second-round contest will be against either fellow class of ‘92 great John Higgins or long-time adversary Ali Carter.
O’Sullivan’s no-show follows his brief walk-out during the first frame of his World Open match against Ross Muir last month because a sponsorship logo on his waistcoat appeared to be distracting him.
The “Rocket” was put off by the red advert stitched to the right side of his chest when lining up a black, midway through a break during his first-round match. He briefly scratched at the patch in an attempt to remove it before exiting the auditorium, causing a delay of several minutes.
Muir was left confused in his seat until O’Sullivan returned, following some alterations, to claim the first frame on his way to a 5-1 win in Yushan, China.
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.
additional reporting by PA
