All posts tagged: Shaun Murphy

John Higgins’ secret weapon – that even snooker commentators don’t notice

John Higgins’ secret weapon – that even snooker commentators don’t notice

Published by Sam Flores

Almost 35 years after first turning professional, John Higgins is still making history. The latest milestone has seen him become the oldest man to reach a World Snooker Championship semi-final since 1985 and one fellow player has pinpointed the secret weapon that he believes keeps the Scot at the top of the snooker world into his 50s. Higgins, who turns 51 next month, has had a remarkable run at the Crucible, beating two-time world finalist Ali Carter, the greatest player of all-time Ronnie O’Sullivan and 2010 world champion Neil Robertson to reach the last four, despite trailing after the first session of each match. He at least ended that streak of early deficits in the first session of his semi-final against Shaun Murphy on Thursday afternoon, battling hard despite not having his A-game to salvage a 4-4 tie in the opening exchanges of the best-of-33 contest. John Higgins and Shaun Murphy are all square in their World Snooker Championship semi-final (PA) Murphy looked almost guaranteed to carry a lead into the second session on Friday …

Shaun Murphy criticises Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump’s conduct before World Snooker Championship

Shaun Murphy criticises Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump’s conduct before World Snooker Championship

Published by Sam Flores

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.” Shaun Murphy has criticised Ronnie O’Sullivan …

Shaun Murphy explains why he is no longer working for BBC before World Championship first round

Shaun Murphy explains why he is no longer working for BBC before World Championship first round

Published by Sam Flores

Shaun Murphy has revealed that he will not be working as a pundit or commentator for this year’s Snooker World Championship after failing to agree new contract terms with the BBC. The 43-year-old former World Champion has worked with the BBC since 2021 as a broadcaster offering his views as both a snooker pundit and commentator across multiple Triple Crown events including the World Championship in Sheffield. One of the reasons for his departure is that he wants to be able to focus more on his own snooker after an impressive season has seen him claim his first ever British Open title and reach the semi-finals of the UK Championship. Murphy also revealed that he could not come to new terms with the BBC and stepped away from negotiations at the previously agreed rate. “No, [it was] nothing to do with trying to prepare properly for the tournament,” Murphy explained ahead of his first round match at the Crucible. “We were in negotiations with the powers-that-be and we couldn’t come to an agreement on terms. …