Shaun Murphy Breaks Silence: O’Sullivan Abused Me at 12 – Snooker Legend Failed the Sport Like Federer Never Would
Shaun Murphy has shed new light on the long-running tensions between him and Ronnie O’Sullivan, revealing that their feud began when he was just 12 years old. Speaking in Pots of Gold: A History of Snooker, Murphy said the rift stems from a verbal altercation early in his life that left a lasting impact.
“We fell out when I was young. Ronnie verbally abused me when I was 12 and I never forgave him. I vividly remember it,” said Murphy. Despite the animosity, he still admires O’Sullivan’s extraordinary talent, calling his snooker ability “completely unmatched.”
The rivalry has simmered for years, with both players exchanging public jabs. They’ve only met once in the past five years, in the semi-finals of the 2024 Masters, where O’Sullivan won 6-2.
Murphy, however, believes O’Sullivan’s influence could have been far more positive off the table. Comparing him to tennis greats Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, Murphy argues that O’Sullivan has failed to uphold the responsibilities that come with his stature.
“I think it’s such a shame he hasn’t done for snooker what Federer and Djokovic have done for tennis. He could’ve elevated the sport massively,” Murphy said. “He’s the biggest needle-mover the sport’s ever seen, but that also led to him being treated differently.”
O’Sullivan has withdrawn from several events in recent years for various reasons, including medical issues, while Murphy continues to compete—most recently facing Neil Robertson in the third round of the British Open.
While Murphy acknowledges O’Sullivan’s legacy as a player, he insists the snooker icon missed the chance to be a true ambassador for the sport.
