Shaun Murphy is gearing up for a confrontation with Kyren Wilson after the reigning world champion labeled him "unprofessional" in the lead-up to the 2025 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The tension between the two players has escalated following Wilson's comments regarding their encounter during the Masters final in January, where Murphy emerged victorious with a score of 10-7.
In a pre-tournament interview, Wilson, who is preparing to defend his title, took a jab at Murphy, suggesting that the veteran player, now 42, had become an "old man" who "needed to win more than me." This remark, made in the aftermath of their Masters final, has reignited a simmering rivalry between the two players, both of whom hail from Northamptonshire.
Wilson's criticism centered on an incident he claims occurred between the two sessions of the Masters final, which he described as "uncalled for and quite unprofessional." However, he refrained from disclosing specific details about the incident, instead choosing to revisit the issue just hours before the start of his World Championship title defense.
“Shaun knows full well what happened before the evening session of the Masters final,” Wilson stated, hinting at a private conversation that he believes took place regarding the incident. "I don’t want to bad mouth anyone, but what he did before the evening session was uncalled for and quite unprofessional,” he added.
Murphy, however, was taken aback by Wilson's remarks. In a recent episode of his podcast, he expressed his confusion and frustration, stating, "I've got absolutely no idea what Kyren Wilson is talking about. No idea at all." He elaborated on his activities between the sessions, which included mundane tasks like filling his car with washer fluid and grabbing coffee at Starbucks, implying that there was nothing inappropriate about his behavior.
“We regrouped in the dressing room following the first session. We got changed, we went off into the car park. Then we jumped in the car and went and found a car wash,” Murphy explained. “I must admit, I'm extremely disappointed in the behaviour of Kyren Wilson. If he's got something he wanted to say to me since January, and he's left it until this week to say it, he hasn't had the bottle to call me out over whatever it is.”
Murphy’s disappointment was palpable as he reflected on the situation, emphasizing that he prides himself on his professionalism and was hurt by Wilson’s choice to publicly question his character. “I was sore when I saw that comment about being unprofessional because my professionalism is something I pride myself on and have done for many years,” he stated.
The rivalry between Murphy and Wilson has roots in their shared upbringing in Northamptonshire, with Murphy suggesting that Wilson may harbor jealousy over his earlier successes in the sport. “There has always been a bit of rivalry between Kettering and Irthlingborough if that can be a thing – small county rivalries,” Murphy noted. “Maybe it is the good, old-fashioned green-eyed monster.”
As the tournament approaches, both players are preparing for their respective matches. Wilson will kick off his title defense on April 20, 2025, against debutant Lei Peifan, while Murphy is set to face Daniel Wells on April 22, 2025. With the Championship set to commence, the looming confrontation between Murphy and Wilson adds an intriguing layer to the tournament narrative.
In his podcast, Murphy also expressed disappointment in Wilson’s lack of direct communication regarding the alleged incident, emphasizing that if there was a concern, it should have been addressed privately rather than aired publicly. “If you are going to call someone out, don’t go half baked and leave everybody, including me hanging. I have no idea,” Murphy said, clearly frustrated by the situation.
As tension builds ahead of the Crucible, both players are under the spotlight, and the outcome of their matches will only add fuel to the fire of their rivalry. With Murphy determined to confront Wilson and clarify the misunderstanding, fans can expect an electrifying atmosphere both on and off the table as the championship unfolds.
As the world watches, the stakes are high for both competitors. Will Murphy be able to put the controversy behind him and focus on his game, or will the tension with Wilson affect his performance? The answers will begin to unfold as the 2025 World Snooker Championship gets underway.
