Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump didn’t attend the press media day on the Crucible forward of the World Snooker Championship; They may probably face fines from the governing physique; O’Sullivan begins his match in opposition to He Guoqiang on Tuesday
Final Up to date: 17/04/26 6:27pm
Ronnie O’Sullivan skipped the press day for the World Snooker Championship
Shaun Murphy has criticised Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump for failing to do extra to advertise 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 may face fines from the game’s governing physique after failing to point out up for the normal pre-tournament occasion, at which the highest 16 seeds collect for a photograph shoot and interviews with press and broadcasters.
Murphy stated: “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 feel it would give these two a picture downside when the general public tag onto that and realise that two of the largest stars of the sport weren’t right here for the opening day. It is a unusual 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.
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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 really feel like I have been taking part in some good things just lately and I am extra assured than I used to be in all probability six weeks in the past, coming into this,” said Allen.
“I’ve come right here for a few years on the again of superb performances and a great season and never executed very properly.
“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 primary day’s schedule is accomplished by an all-Chinese language match between Xiao Guodong and Zhou Yuelong whereas former finalist Barry Hawkins faces Matthew Stevens, a former two-time finalist making his first look on the Crucible since 2022.
Full first-round draw (Better of 19 frames):
- Zhao Xintong (China) (1) vs Liam Highfield (England)
- Ding Junhui (China) (16) vs David Gilbert (England)
- Xiao Guodong (China) (9) vs Zhou Yuelong (China)
- Shaun Murphy (England) (8) vs Fan Zhengyi (China)
- John Higgins (Scotland) (5) vs Ali Carter (England)
- Ronnie O’Sullivan (England) (12) vs He Guoqiang (China)
- Chris Wakelin (England) (13) vs Liam Pullen (England)
- Neil Robertson (Australia) (4) vs Pang Junxu (China)
- Kyren Wilson (England) (3) vs Stan Moody (England)
- Mark Allen (Northern Eire) (14) vs Zhang Anda (China)
- Barry Hawkins (England) (11) vs Matthew Stevens (Wales)
- Mark Williams (Wales) (6) vs Antoni Kowalski (Poland)
- Mark Selby (England) (7) vs Jak Jones (Wales)
- Wu Yize (China) (10) vs Lei Peifan (China)
- Si Jiahui (China) (15) vs Hossein Vafaei (Iran)
- Judd Trump (England) (2) vs Gary Wilson (England)
