Shaun Murphy calls out Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump for 'strange' decision to miss Crucible media day - ‘A real shame’

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Shaun Murphy said the absence of Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump from the official media day before the World Snooker Championship was "a real shame".

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Both players could face fines for skipping the event, with the World Championship getting underway on Saturday - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

And Murphy expressed his belief that two of the sport's most renowned players should have been in attendance.

"I think it's become normal that they don't turn up for these types of things," said The Magician. "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.

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"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.

"None of us are shocked by it. It would be more strange for us if they were here, which is saying something."

O'Sullivan and Trump are set to begin their respective Crucible campaigns on Tuesday.

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The Rocket, aiming to become world champion for a record eighth time, will play China's He Guoqiang.

World No. 1 Trump, who won his only world title with an 18-9 victory over John Higgins in 2019, faces compatriot Gary Wilson.

Reigning world champion Zhao Xintong will begin his defence against qualifier Liam Highfield on Saturday, while Northern Irishman Mark Allen faces China's Zhang Anda.

"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."

O'Sullivan, meanwhile, has been typically low-key about his chances of success.

"I’ve had quite a good year, really," he said after his run to the 2026 World Open final in March.

”I felt like I played really quite good at the start of the season, better than I was, and then I had a dip for a couple of months. January and February weren’t good, and I thought, 'Here we go,' but I’ve managed to pull it back a little bit.

"We’ll just see how it goes. I wasn’t even going to play in the World Championship 10 days ago because I was too scared. I felt like I would embarrass myself.

"But now I feel I probably will go, because I feel like I might pot a few balls. It’s not great. I’m not in a great, great place with it, but I’m better than I was maybe two weeks ago."

Who will play at the World Snooker Championship?

The top-16 seeds for the World Championship were locked in mid-way through the Tour Championship, with defending champion Zhao the No. 1 seed.

1. Zhao Xintong
2. Judd Trump
3. Kyren Wilson
4. Neil Robertson
5. John Higgins
6. Mark Williams
7. Mark Selby
8. Shaun Murphy
9. Xiao Guodong
10. Wu Yize
11. Barry Hawkins
12. Ronnie O'Sullivan
13. Chris Wakelin
14. Mark Allen
15. Si Jiahui
16. Ding Junhui

How to watch the World Snooker Championship

You can watch every day of the World Championship live on TNT Sports.

It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.

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