According to Shaun Murphy, a few snooker pundits and commentators, such as Stephen Hendry, ought to do more research before appearing on television.
After Hendry’s remarks at the Champion of Champions on Tuesday drew criticism, the magician was speaking on the topic.
Hendry acknowledged that he had never watched the young Thai star play when asked about his thoughts on women’s world champion Baipat Siripaporn.
ITV host Jill Douglas responded to it with a snarky tone.
Shaun Murphy criticized the seven-time world champion and others even more in his most recent podcast episode.
During the OneFourSeven Snooker Podcast, Shaun Murphy said to Phil Seymour, “We’re singling out Stephen Hendry this time because he said it.”
“He’s not the only one who has expressed this. However, I don’t think it’s very good. It seems really subpar to me.
When you’re in that role, whether you’re standing in a studio or providing commentary, it’s imperative that you take the time to learn a little bit about the subjects of your coverage.
Although there are a few of them, I thought it was poor. They seem to wear it as a badge of honor, so he’s not alone.
“I’m not sure I understand. However, Stephen is elderly and irritable; it’s likely that he can’t be bothered.
He wouldn’t be familiar with CueTracker or how snooker.org functions. Never once has he examined a play from a player he covers.
“He basically won seven world titles, and that’s how he got that job.”
Murphy also shared his thoughts on the announcement that Ronnie O’Sullivan, the current champion, had withdrawn from this week’s invitat
ional.
The Rocket announced on social media on the eve of his scheduled defence in Bolton that he felt too “drained and stressed” to perform, apologising to his fans.
“You have to take it at face value, don’t you? You have to take it as for what it is,” Murphy, the 2017 Champion of Champions, said.
“He says that he’s suffering and needs a rest, and his mental health is suffering.”
“I think you just have to hope he goes away, gets the rest he needs, and comes back stronger.
“I think it’s great that in recent times, people have felt more confident about discussing their mental health.
“It used to be a bit of a taboo subject. I grew up in an era where it just wouldn’t have been tolerated to talk about.
“You would have been told to just get on with it – stiff upper lip and all that. That’s how I was brought up.
“But it is good to see that people feel free and able to talk about it.
“I think it’s a real shame for the tournament, and I think it has to be said that he’s had a number of health concerns in recent weeks and months.
“So I hope he goes away and gets things sorted. He pulled out of an event citing tennis elbow, and he pulled out of another event for something else.
“He’s going through it, isn’t he, since this one was for mental health issues?”
In the meantime, the snooker jerseys that the players have been donning and that the general public can purchase are a new aspect of the Champion of Champions.
Though there has been a lot of discussion lately about appropriate clothing, the overall response has been conflicting thus far.
Luca Brecel has expressed strong disapproval of the conventional attire, particularly the bow tie, which he claims costs him 20% of his games.
But the older style is one of the reasons that the sport initially gained popularity in China, which of course has become an enormous market for the game overall.
“I know when I’ve raised this point with the powers that be in years gone by, that was always the answer I was given,” Murphy said.
“The old-fashioned, traditional, gentleman’s attire and that whole look was essential to snooker’s success in China.”
“And I’d not thought about that at all. I wouldn’t have put those pieces together had someone not have told me.
“I always remember finding how strange how much power that the Chinese market has over our game globally.
“Why don’t they just have their events dress like that then? I don’t know.
“I am quite a traditionalist at heart, and I like the look of the attire that we wear. But from a practicality point of view, it’s not great.
“I think we are probably the only sport where the outfits and the clothing actually hinder you. They make your job more difficult.”
Brecel didn’t manage to take advantage of the more relaxed clothing on day two of the Champion of Champions.
The world champion was thrashed 4-0 by the in-form Barry Hawkins, who compiled a brace of century breaks and later beat Robert Milkins as well to reach the semi-finals.
Snooker Shoot Out champion Chris Wakelin will square off against 2016 winner John Higgins on Wednesday.
Zhang Anda or Ding Junhui, who was called up at the last minute to replace O’Sullivan, will play the winner.
It takes place on Thursday for Murphy’s group, which also includes Judd Trump, Baipat Siripaporn, and Gary Wilson, his first opponent.
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