Shaun Murphy has revealed he was ready to quit playing snooker after struggling with loss of form, weight gain and mental health issues over the past few years.
Murphy ended a three-year wait for a ranking title with a blistering performance at the Players Championship that culminated in a 10-4 triumph against Ali Carter in Wolverhampton earlier this month.
Ad The 2005 world champion is a 7/2 shot behind 5-2 title favourite Mark Selby ahead of the season's penultimate ranking tournament at this week's Tour Championship in Hull before he chases a second Crucible title in Sheffield next month (15 April-1 May LIVE on Eurosport and discovery+).
Snooker'Not impossible' – Selby targets O'Sullivan's world title record, urges snooker peace talksYESTERDAY AT 10:21 It has been a dramatic turnaround for Murphy, who underwent gastric sleeve surgery to tackle weight issues after losing 10-8 to Stephen Maguire in the first round of the World Championship last April.