The World Snooker Championship has wrapped up, yet excitement persists at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre. Veteran competitors battle in the World Seniors Championship, set to conclude on Sunday.

Wu Yize, aged 22, recently clinched the main title by edging out Shaun Murphy in a tense final-frame showdown. He joins Zhao Xintong as the second Chinese player to secure the crown, following Zhao’s victory the previous year.

Shaun Murphy Suffers Dual Blow

Shaun Murphy endured heartbreak in the World Snooker Championship final against Wu Yize and now faces a hefty £94,000 tax bill. The event’s prize fund approached £2.4 million, with Murphy earning £200,000 as runner-up. After a 53% tax deduction, he retains just £106,000. Wu Yize pockets £265,000 from his £500,000 winner’s share following £235,000 in taxes.

Murphy advanced by defeating former champions Zhao Xintong in the quarter-finals and John Higgins in an epic semi-final.

Gracious in defeat, Murphy hailed Wu Yize, stating: “I’d like to be the first to congratulate Wu Yize and his family, and everyone around him for being a wonderful world champion. I hate being right – I said sometime earlier in the season when we had a great game out in China somewhere, I won that one but I came out afterwards and said that he would be world champion one day. It’s just a real shame that it was today, but I couldn’t have given it any more, I couldn’t have tried harder. I played the best shots I could have played and I didn’t get my chance. I couldn’t do any more than that.”

Jimmy White Fires Back at Critics

Jimmy White dismissed complaints about the World Seniors Championship at the Crucible, telling detractors to “get a life.” The event returns to the iconic venue after a five-year absence, drawing ire from players like Dave Gilbert.

Gilbert remarked: “It’s a special place. It’s brilliant that it’s [World Snooker Championship] staying there, you know. It’s a travesty for any professional that doesn’t get to play there, it is a special place. I hate that they play the Seniors there. I think that’s shocking. The only people that should play at the Crucible are people that go through this qualifying school or a top 16 professional. It’s not for hacking around in exhibitions. It’s the Mecca of snooker.”

The 64-year-old White retorted: “Get a life! Listen, this is why we’re here. Why not? It’s a World Championship, the World Seniors. I don’t know why people would say that. It don’t make any sense.”

Ken Doherty empathizes with both perspectives yet backs the Seniors event staying in Sheffield. He noted: “I know what he means, but listen, why not? I know it’s the home of the World Championship, but it can be the home of the World Seniors Championship as well. It’s a special event, so why not? It’s hard to get tickets for the World Championship. It’s a little bit easier for this, but still, there’s been great crowds and the atmosphere is electric. No, I think it’s a great idea to have it here.”