SHAUN OF THE RED FACE
Murphy’s backing Si after amateur U-turn
SHAUN MURPHY admits firstround opponent Si Jiahui fully deserves to be both on tour and in the Crucible building.
Former world champion Murphy caused a storm after losing to thenamateur Si at the 2021 UK Championship.
‘The Magician’ reacted furiously – claiming players not on the pro tour should not be allowed to take part in the big tournaments.
Si has since claimed a tour spot and will now make his Crucible debut.
But Murphy’s broadside in the aftermath of that painful loss is still remembered.
He said at the time: “I feel extremely hard done by that I have lost to someone who shouldn’t even be in the building. I don’t know why we allow amateurs to compete in professional tournaments.
“This is our livelihood. He played like a man who does not have a care in the world, because he does not have a care in the world. It is not fair, it is not right.
“I am not picking on him as a young man, he deserved his victory. But amateurs should not be allowed in professional tournaments.”
Murphy, who later apologised and has since changed his view, said last night: “One thing that is absolutely certain is that Si HAS earned the right to be both on tour and at the Crucible.
“Even at the time nothing I said was a slur on him personally. I did not agree that amateurs should be in professional events.
“But I went away, educated myself, realised how important amateur topups are to spreading the gospel of snooker – and I was wrong. I hold my hands up and admit it, I apologised and said I was incorrect.
“Si won that game fairly and squarely and has gone on to show he is a wonderful and seriously good player.
“It is 20-odd years since I made my debut at the Crucible and he’ll get to feel that next week to cap off a great season. I did say he was one to watch, I was right about that!
“I was bound to get Si Jiahui – I was the least shocked of anyone. These were the snooker gods at play and they are very mischievous creatures. The game giveth and it taketh away.
“If I hadn’t been here myself live to witness it in the BBC studio, I would have questioned it.
“But the journalists will be loving it and I can already hear the keyboards being smashed to pieces.
“I just hope there aren’t too many pantomime boos out there next Wednesday.”
World No.1 and seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, going for a record eighth crown, will play Chinese debutant Pang Junxu tomorrow.
The highly-rated 23-year-old, up to No.35 in the rankings after a great season, won their only previous match last year.