Snooker sensation Shaun Murphy is making waves in the world of cue sports with his recent comments about what he perceives as a growing problem in the game: gamesmanship. The Masters champion is not mincing words when it comes to his fellow competitors and their tactics on the table. In a recent interview on his onefourseven podcast, Murphy expressed his frustration with the use of toilet breaks to disrupt the flow of a match, calling it an “epidemic.”
“Toilet breaks. We have to talk about the epidemic of toilet breaks that are spoiling snooker action,” Murphy stated emphatically. “It is now getting ridiculous, guys. It is getting totally out of hand. It is ridiculous how many times players are leaving the arena to go to the loo.”
Murphy went on to explain his thoughts on the matter, highlighting instances where players have strategically taken breaks to throw off their opponents’ momentum. He emphasized that these breaks are not always about the players’ actual need to use the facilities but rather a form of gamesmanship to gain an advantage in crucial moments of a match.
“And here’s where it gets spicy, because most of these exits from the arena have got nothing to do with players needing to go for a wee, it’s good old-fashioned gamesmanship,” Murphy revealed. “My opponent last week went to the toilet after the first frame of the match, then after the fifth frame after the interval. You’ve had 20-odd minutes to be ready to play. What’s going on? It’s getting ridiculous. It’s a joke.”
Murphy is not alone in his sentiments, as other snooker stars, including Neil Robertson, have also spoken out against the misuse of toilet breaks. Robertson called for a new rule to be trialed, limiting the number of breaks players can take during a match to ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of the game.
With the support of players like Robertson and others, including Mark Selby and Luca Brecel, who have acknowledged the need for change in this aspect of the game, there may be hope for a new rule to be implemented in the future. Selby suggested a cap on the number of breaks players can take, while Brecel emphasized the importance of respecting players’ needs while also ensuring fair competition.
Even snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan weighed in on the debate, offering a different perspective on the issue of toilet breaks. O’Sullivan suggested that players should be allowed unlimited breaks as long as they do not disrupt the flow of play for their opponents. He stressed the importance of returning to the table promptly once the balls are set up to avoid unnecessary delays.
As the discussion around toilet breaks and gamesmanship in snooker continues to evolve, it is clear that there is a growing consensus among players that changes may be necessary to maintain the integrity and competitiveness of the sport. Time will tell if new rules are implemented to address these concerns, but for now, the debate rages on in the world of professional snooker.
