RON MOVE
My rivalry with Ronnie O’Sullivan is like Andy Murray v Novak Djokovic – but I won’t follow their latest career move
The snooker great enjoyed a stunning start to this UK Championship quest
JOHN HIGGINS is looking to life beyond snooker — but the Scottish all-time great reckons following Andy Murray’s lead is off the table.
Retired tennis ace Murray is going into old rival Novak Djokovic’s team for January’s Australian Open.
3
3
3
Like Murray and Djokovic, Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan have battled it out on the baize since they were kids and enjoyed a healthy sporting rivalry at the top of the game.
Asked if he could see himself going into the Rocket's camp for a world title bid veteran Higgins, 49, quipped: “I asked him last night and he knocked me back!
“You would love to be asked in a way. He’s an unbelievable champion.
“I think I’d have the patience to be a coach. I don’t know if I’d be a coach or a mentor.
READ MORE SNOOKER
“Who knows what the future holds in this game for a lot of us.
“I’m quite happy dodging about like I am at the moment.
“I’m going out to China a bit more doing some ambassadorial stuff out there which I’m enjoying. Obviously I’m still competing as well.
“You need to look at what the future might hold. I don’t think I could be a commentator and spend all those hours in the box. You’ve spent so much time playing the game, so I don’t think I could do that.”
Most read in Snooker
But Higgins’ sole focus this week is trying to become UK champion for a fourth time.
The wily Wizard of Wishaw has world No.1 Judd Trump in his way in a tasty last-16 clash tomorrow afternoon at York’s Barbican.
Watch moment snooker legend John Higgins gets standing ovation for reaching incredible milestone and opponent joins in
Scot Higgins dominated the early parts of their rivalry, which has included two world finals.
But ever since a crushing 18-9 defeat in the second of those showpieces on the game's grandest stage, an excruciating third world final defeat in a row, Higgins has lost 10 of their last 11 meetings.
Dumping Trump out and adding a magical 10th Triple Crown major to his CV would banish the heartache of his near four-year wait for a ranking crown.
And second seed Trump believes Higgins is sick of the sight of him.
The Ace in the Pack said: “I know I was sick of him at the start of my career so he’s probably sick of me now!
“He probably feels a bit hard done by because I always play well against him.
“He’s probably thinking a couple of times he’s lost to me that if I’d have lost in the game before he could have won a few more titles than he has done.
“He’s been knocking on the door even though the titles haven’t come. It’s only taken me playing at my best or someone else playing at their best to stop him otherwise he would have had a lot more titles.
“When you have lost to someone a lot it is in the back of your head.
“There’s that inner belief against him that I didn’t have in my early career.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“The biggest compliment I can give John is I know I have to raise my game against him.”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Topics