From May 10 to 12, the Guangzhou Billiards Exhibition 2025, a crucial professional event in the global snooker industry, was held at the Guangzhou Canton Fair Complex.
Prominent snooker players from China and abroad, including Mark Williams, Judd Trump, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby, Ding Junhui, and Pan Xiaoting, made appearances at various brand endorsement events. Notably, Shaun Murphy's previous comments questioning the World Snooker Tour (WST) and Zhao Xintong's championship victory had sparked widespread attention. During his China visit, Murphy took the opportunity to clarify for the first time, stating that Zhao Xintong is "a deserving world champion" and emphasizing he "absolutely holds no denial or doubts" about Zhao's achievements.
On May 10 and 11, Murphy participated in multiple exhibition events hosted by Chinese snooker enterprises and teamed up with Selby for a unique exhibition match. Each event attracted hundreds of Chinese snooker enthusiasts, showcasing his significant influence in China.
During his stay in Guangzhou, Murphy posted several updates on Chinese social media platforms to further explain and clarify his earlier remarks. He acknowledged public discussions about his previous statements, particularly regarding Zhao Xintong's World Championship title. "Allow me to formally clarify: I have absolutely no negative comments about Zhao Xintong or his accomplishments. If any part of my earlier remarks caused misunderstanding, I want to take this opportunity to set the record straight," Murphy wrote.
He expressed admiration for Zhao, describing him as "a charismatic player and a truly deserving world champion." Murphy praised Zhao's "breathtaking skills" displayed during the World Championship and extended heartfelt wishes for his long-lasting career and future success. "Having dedicated 25 years to snooker, I sincerely hope Zhao Xintong continues to shine as a champion in this sport," he added.
Murphy shared the original context of his earlier comments on Chinese social media, cautioning that interpretations based solely on sensationalized media reports or online gossip could lead to misunderstandings, as selective quoting often distorts intent.
Addressing debates over Zhao's ranking and points, Murphy clarified that these controversies stemmed from the WPBSA's (World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association) administrative decisions rather than any player's actions. He reiterated having "no issues with Zhao Xintong whatsoever," stressing that strict adherence to WPBSA's own rules would have prevented such disputes. "I reiterate: I have zero doubts about Zhao Xintong. He is an outstanding young player, and I wholeheartedly wish him continued success," Murphy concluded.
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