Every star athlete must inevitably acknowledge when their career is at its end, but for Shaun Murphy, an illustrious stay in snooker nearly finished all too prematurely.
The 2005 world champion topped the billing at the Players Championship in February and dominated Ali Carter 10-4 in the final to clinch his first ranking title in more than three years. The doubt that came as a result of those struggles almost convinced 'The Magician' to give it up for good, but his Wolverhampton win helped remind Murphy of what he had to offer the sport.
"There have been a lot of moments of self-evaluation, really asking if I am on the right path," Murphy told The Yorkshire Post. "Do I have a career in snooker any more? Is it worth pursuing because you spend a lot of time away from your wife and children? Is it worth it?
