Shaun Murphy expressed strong dissatisfaction towards Matchroom regarding the timing of the Champion of Champions event on Monday. This frustration stemmed from his recent participation in China’s International Championship quarter-finals just four days before.
Despite his readiness, Murphy was unexpectedly thrust into the tournament’s first match, where he faced a tough 4-1 defeat against Lei Peifan. The seasoned 43-year-old player disclosed that he only became aware of his Monday match while returning from Nanjing, learning about the event’s schedule on the day itself.
After his loss to Lei, Murphy openly criticized the tournament organizers, emphasizing his discontent with the group arrangements. He voiced his disappointment to ITV4, stating, “I aim to uphold high standards of professionalism and respect for the game. However, the treatment I received from Matchroom in this tournament was appalling.”
Murphy expressed his dismay at the lack of communication and organization, highlighting the inconvenience of discovering his match details amidst a long journey back from China. He pointed out the preferential treatment given to other players who did not participate in the recent championship.
Responding to Murphy’s grievances, Matchroom issued a statement acknowledging his concerns and assuring that player priorities are paramount. They explained that group assignments are based on seeding for transparency and fairness, recognizing the challenges in scheduling and pledging to improve for future events.
Meanwhile, other players like Mark Williams, Mark Allen, and Alfie Burden, who did not compete in the previous championship, are scheduled to play later in the Champion of Champions event, unlike Murphy who played on the opening day.
In other matches on the opening day, top-ranked player Judd Trump secured a 4-1 victory against Bai Yulu, advancing to face Lei in the evening session. The tournament continues with upcoming matches featuring various prominent players like Kyren Wilson, Jack Lisowski, Mark Selby, and Neil Robertson, among others.
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