Former world snooker champion accuses all of his rivals of being ‘weird’ and insists ‘it’s not me who’s in the wrong’

SNOOKER star Shaun Murphy has insisted his rivals are “weird” for the simple fact they don’t smile.

Murphy, 41, powered past Lyu Haotian in the opening round of the World Snooker Championship with a 10-5 victory.

PAShaun Murphy has insisted his rivals are ‘weird’[/caption]

GettyIt comes after he powered into the second round at the Crucible[/caption]

Before his next match against arch nemesis Stephen Maguire, he released a video of himself twirling an umbrella while in Sheffield, captioning the post: “Bringing the sunshine to Sheffield.”

However, the stern demeanour of his snooker colleagues has left him irked.

The Magician said: “People say this but I think it’s really weird how everyone else doesn’t smile.

“These people have paid to come and watch, the least you can do is thank them and interact with them and say thanks for coming.

“When they applaud for a century break the least you can do is acknowledge their applause.

“I’m NOT the weird one.

“The other 30-odd players, they are the weird ones.

“It’s not me who’s in the wrong. It’s everyone else who’s a bit weird, not me.”

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On his progression into round two and his match against old foe Maguire, Murphy said: “I’m not just going to go out there and just give it to him.

“There was a time on Saturday where I felt flat and he was getting on top. I smashed the table [with his fist], I did it on purpose and I felt better – I would rather go out fighting.”

The pair have met 28 times in all competitions as professionals with a record of 14 wins each.

Their last game came at the Crucible in 2022, when Maguire triumphed 10-8 in the opening round.

Murphy won the World Snooker Championship in 2005.