Shaun Murphy Explains International Championship Withdrawal as Snooker Star Prioritises Well-Being

The 2026 International Championship is currently taking place on the other side of the world in Nanjing, China. World number seven Murphy - who won a qualifying match held in England several weeks before - was due to play Mitchell Mann in the last 64, but news was announced a few days before the televised stages that he had withdrawn due to medical reasons.

Murphy wasn’t the only high-profile name to withdraw, with Barry Hawkins and Luca Brecel also not travelling to the Far East.

In each of the last two seasons, no-one has played in more events on the World Snooker Tour than former World Champion Murphy, so his absence at the final stages of a professional event - never mind a very lucrative one like the International Championship - was an unusual occurrence.

Talking alongside his fiancé Jo Rochell on the latest episode of their ‘Clear the Table Podcast’, Murphy - who earlier spoke about, and wished Mark Allen well for his ongoing mental health issues - explained that his decision for pulling out of Nanjing was because he needed a breather.

"It's the first time I think in my life where I've pulled out of an event. I don't remember pulling out of many events. I think it's a first for me” said the 44-year-old.

"I think I've just kind of got into the habit of...since turning pro, feeling so grateful for that opportunity to be a professional player, that I've just kind of taken as 'right, I must play every week'.

“I've just got to the point where I go 'Do you know what lads? I actually need to just step off this merry-go-round for a little while’”.

Murphy was prominent on the baize last season, winning the 13th ranking title of his career at the 2026 British Open, and making three further ranked finals, including at the 2026 World Snooker Championship where he was one frame away from claiming a second world crown at the Crucible Theatre.

This term is yet to prove as fruitful, although he was close to reaching the final of the English Open in September. Four of his event outings, so far, have come in China, including a multi-week stay there for the 'Chinese swing' across July and August.

On why he withdrew from the International Championship, the Englishman added: “There are lots of reasons that have contributed to me taking to the decision to not go.

“I wouldn't say burnout, I wouldn't say tired. I'm not even sure whether it's in the mental health category. But I do want to take some time for myself just to go 'I'm not playing that week cause I actually think it's potentially damaging for the rest of the season or just my own personal well-being’”.

Having earned over £7.2 million in competition prize money across his career - putting him in the all-time top 10 list - and with no current concerns over losing his top 16 ranking, Murphy is in a place where he can prioritise.

“Very, very grateful to be in the position where I don't have to go that tournament.

“And as I say, it's a multifaceted reason. I'm not going to share all of the reasons, but just wanting to take just a little breather for myself to get my head right, to get myself right on and off the table, and then hopefully finish the year well with some big tournaments”.

Murphy’s next engagement on the professional circuit is set to be at the Champion of Champions invitational in Leicester where he is due to meet Ronnie O’Sullivan in round one.

Last year Murphy was furious over the tight schedule between the International Championship and Champion of Champions, going out on day one of the latter event.

Recalling that experience, Murphy stated that was another factor for his Nanjing absence, saying it was something ‘he wasn’t prepared to do again’.