ALEXANDRA PALACE
Legend of the game Higgins wants to see the waistcoat
removed
JOHN HIGGINS has called for snooker authorities to ditch the traditional waistcoat-and-bow-tie dress code.
World Snooker Tour have scrapped long black ties for afternoon matches at this week’s Masters in a move backed by players. But four-time world champion Higgins wants chiefs to implement less restrictive attire at all events. World No.2 Judd Trump has led calls for lawmakers to revolutionise the game’s image to attract a younger audience.
Earlier this season, the Champion of Champions invitational – run by Matchroom – employed snazzy darts-style T-shirts.
And Higgins, who kicks off his bid for a third Masters title against fourth seed Mark Allen this afternoon, said: “Life is moving forward and I think an attire change should be implemented for more and more events on the tour.
“I know we have the black shirts for the Home Nations tournaments, but that’s just the same old, same old.
“Implementing a different attire can help attract a different clientele to the game. I definitely think that could be the way forward for snooker.
“I think you could have the traditional waistcoat and bow-tie (like that worn by Shaun Murphy, above) for the World Championship and maybe change for the others.
“What we had at the Champion of Champion got a big thumbs-up from me. You felt a lot more free.
“You can move around the table a lot quicker and you’re not as restricted as you would be with the waistcoat and bow tie on.
“I don’t know what other people said or how it looked on TV but you’ve got to embrace things like this.
“I’m not on the decision-making side of things. There are people paid a lot of money to make those decisions. But I’d be up for changing.”
World No.12 Higgins is chasing the £250,000 top prize at London’s iconic Ally Pally. And lifting the famous trophy would end a painstaking 18-year wait for Masters glory since he famously beat Ronnie O’sullivan 10-9 on the final black.
The past few years have been littered with near-misses in the Wizard of Wishaw’s quest to once again lift a major title – the last of which was the Players Championship in February 2021.
But Higgins, who won his first ranking title way back in 1994, is still loving the journey in his pursuit of glory. The 2021 Masters runner-up, 48, added: “I’d dearly love to get my hands on another big trophy again. You’re sometimes fighting yourself rather than the opponent.
“I’ve been to four semi-finals this season and just not been able to get over that hurdle. But I still love it.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have had some good times. I’ve been incredibly lucky to play a sport I love and provide for my family.”
Allen is the narrow favourite at 4-5 to win today’s clash at the famous London venue. Higgins is around the even-money mark to get through.