Murphy gunning for successful defence

Shaun Murphy admits he has been “living every 23-year-old’s dream” since his stunning World Championship success last year.

The Rotherham-based player arrived at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre as a 150-1 outsider but conquered John Higgins, Steve Davis, Peter Ebdon and Matthew Stevens to become the first qualifier to capture the title since Terry Griffiths in 1979.

His defence of the crown is now only nine days away and although Murphy has not won a tournament since, he has been amazed by the amount of recognition to have come his way.

“I never imagined how busy the year would be,” said Murphy at the launch of this year’s World Championship, which is to be sponsored by online casino 888.com for the first time.

“I could have filled every night with some engagement or other. So much has happened that it’s unbelievable to think it has only been a year since I won the World Championship, but then again the tournament seems to have come around really quickly.

“Some of the most stressful things life can throw at you have happened to me. I got married, that seems like a lifetime ago even though it was only last summer, moved house and my father has been ill.”