Former world champion Shaun Murphy believes Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump have been bad ambassadors for the sport over the years.
The two biggest British stars of the game snubbed the media day for this year’s World Championship.
Hundreds of fans were left disappointed after O’Sullivan and Trump no-showed the green carpet ceremony as they waited in the rain on the eve of the Sheffield showcase getting underway on Saturday.
Both players have agreements in place with the UK government which limits the amount of days they can be in the country after moving to Dubai in the past year.
O’Sullivan is rarely seen in the UK these days. The only event he has played on these shores this season was the UK Championship, where he crashed out in the first round.
‘I think it’s a real shame,’ said Murphy.
‘They probably could both have done a little bit more to help promote the game over the years.
‘I think it’s become normal that they don’t turn up for these types of things, but I’ve got no idea why they don’t come.
‘They didn’t come to the champions dinner either last night. It was a really special evening listening to stories from the old world champions like Cliff Thorburn.
‘I’ve got no idea, but none of us [the players] are shocked by it. It would be more strange for us if they were here, which is saying something.’
The Rocket, who kicks off his title challenge against Chinese debutant He Guoqiang on Tuesday, has kept a low profile ahead of his bid to capture a record eighth Crucible crown this season.
He has done no press in the build up to the event, but has spoken about his desire to win an eighth world title at times this season.
O’Sullivan is currently ranked 12th in the world and is 7/1 to win the tournament this year. The last time he was ranked as low and was as big a price among the bookies was the 2012 World Championship, which he went on to win.
Old foe John Higgins lost 6-0 to him in the final of the John Virgo Trophy exhibition event in Ireland last weekend.
The four-time world champion, who could face the Rocket in the second round, said: ‘I think Ronnie can have a big say on this tournament.
‘He looks in good nick. He was striking the ball well over there.’
