Snooker world champion addresses Shaun Murphy’s controversial tactic that split opinion
Newly crowned world champion Wu Yize has addressed the controversial tactic used by Shaun Murphy during their dramatic World Snooker Championship final, admitting the incident briefly caught him by surprise but insisting it did not affect his concentration on the biggest stage of his career.
The Crucible final delivered a thrilling contest as Wu completed a historic victory to become one of the youngest players to lift snooker’s most prestigious title. However, much of the post-match discussion centred on Murphy’s unusual tactical approach during a tense stage of the match — a move that divided fans and pundits across the snooker world.
The controversy came after Murphy repeatedly slowed the pace of play during key frames, taking extra time over safety exchanges and using long pauses before crucial shots. Some supporters believed the experienced Englishman was simply using his tactical intelligence to disrupt Wu’s rhythm, while others accused him of gamesmanship in an attempt to halt the Chinese star’s momentum.
Speaking after his victory, Wu remained calm and respectful when asked about the incident.
“I noticed it during the match,” Wu explained. “But in a world final you expect everything. Shaun is a great champion and very experienced. He was trying to find a way back into the match and that is part of professional sport.”
The 21-year-old also stressed that he refused to allow outside distractions to impact his focus.
“I only tried to stay calm and think about my own game,” he said. “At the Crucible there is pressure everywhere, so mentally you must stay strong. I didn’t want to react emotionally.”
Murphy’s tactics quickly became a major talking point on social media, with former players and fans split in their opinions. Some defended the 2005 world champion, arguing that tactical battles and momentum shifts have always been part of snooker at the elite level. Others felt the repeated delays crossed the line and disrupted the natural flow of the match.
Several television pundits pointed out that Murphy has long been regarded as one of the sport’s sharpest tactical minds and suggested he was simply relying on experience to challenge an opponent who appeared unstoppable throughout much of the final.
Despite the debate, Wu handled the occasion with remarkable composure. The Chinese star continued to produce brilliant potting and fearless break-building under pressure, earning praise from across the snooker world for his maturity and temperament.
Murphy himself later dismissed suggestions of unsporting behaviour, insisting he was only trying to give himself the best possible chance to recover in a difficult match. The Englishman congratulated Wu after the final and described his opponent’s performance as “world-class.”
Wu’s triumph has been celebrated as another major moment for Chinese snooker, with many believing his success could inspire a new generation of players. His calm response to the Murphy controversy has also enhanced his growing reputation as one of the sport’s most composed young stars.
While opinions may remain divided over Murphy’s tactics, the final will ultimately be remembered for Wu Yize’s breakthrough achievement and the arrival of a new world champion capable of handling both pressure and controversy on snooker’s grandest stage.
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