Ronnie O'Sullivan misses World Championship tradition as tournament gets underway

Both snooker stars do not play until Tuesday, with the competition starting today, as Zhao Xintong, Mark Williams and Barry Hawkins are all in action.

Former world champion Shaun Murphy criticised both O'Sullivan and Trump for their absence from the event.

When asked whether the no-shows could damage the image of snooker, Murphy responded: "I don't know about image problem. I think it might give those two a particular image problem. I think it might affect their image slightly.

"Once the public tag onto that themselves and realise that two of the biggest stars of the game weren't here for opening day, when everyone else has made the effort to be here... listen, it's a strange one. I don't know why they're not here. Their own decisions, aren't they?

"I've got no idea, but none of us are shocked by it. It would be more strange for us if they were here, which is saying something.

"It's a real shame - and they probably could both have done a little bit more to help promote the game over the years."

The Rocket is seeking his eighth world title, to put him clear of Stephen Hendry at the top of the all-time list.

O'Sullivan's first World Championship came in 2001, winning his latest in 2022.

Murphy, who won in 2005, said: "I think it would be great for snooker if he did it. It would be great for him, obviously, to have the eight.

"It's the story everybody wants to write. It would be an incredible achievement."

Murphy continued: "He is running out of time. He needs to do it sooner rather than later. But it's Ronnie O'Sullivan - you wouldn't put anything past him.

"It's the first tournament in a long time when he hasn't come in as clear favourite, but I have to say when I played him at the World Open a few weeks ago, he looked pretty sharp to me.

"He looks as good as ever from where I can see."

The Rocket reached the semi-finals 12 months ago but lost to Xintong 17-7, who became the first Chinese player to lift the trophy.

O'Sullivan plays his first round tie against He Guoqiang in the afternoon session on Tuesday.

A victory will earn him a match-up versus either John Higgins or his biggest nemesis, Ali Carter.

Carter openly admitted that he "does not want to play Ronnie", having previously faced him in six of his 21 Crucible visits.

He said: "I've played him too many times in Sheffield. There is no animosity there now between Ronnie and I. We've both grown up a bit now."

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