EXCLUSIVE: Twenty-six years on from John Higgins' first of three UK Championship triumph, the Wizard of Wishaw reflects on his longevity and how snooker has changed
In fairness, it was 26 years ago and was followed by a night of heavy partying. “None at all,” he admits when asked about his recollections of that victory in Bournemouth in 1998, which came a few months after he won his first of four world titles at the Crucible.
His memories of his two subsequent UK Championship wins are far more vivid, both coming against old rival Mark Williams in 2000 and 2010, the latter being a 10-9 cliffhanger. The sport’s increased professionalism means boozy post-tournament parties are far less common. Not that Higgins would be interested anyway, having gone tee-total in 2018.
Higgins has no complaints though and remains grateful for the life snooker has given him. He says: “I’ve had a great career, this game has given us so much. I’ve only got good things to say about the game. I’ve always said I’m a lucky boy playing this game for a living.” That is for the future though. Higgins is still a man of the present and remains one of the tour’s top stars.
“I’ve not thought about picking and choosing this season,” he insists. “In all honesty, I probably can’t afford to with where I am in the rankings.
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