Higgins feels he may have three years at top table
GUTTED John Higgins admits he’s only got three years left at snooker’s top table after his ten-year wait for a Triple Crown trophy went on.
The Wizard of Wishaw fell to a narrow 10-8 defeat against Yan Bingtao in Sunday’s Masters final and is yet to claim silverware of any kind since 2018.
His last major title – World Championship, UK Championship and Masters – came at the Crucible in 2011 and Higgins, the world No.6, has endured a barren recent spell on the behind closed doors circuit.
The four-time world champion cut a dejected figure after his late night defeat in Milton Keynes and accepts the clock is rapidly ticking towards the end of his career.
The 45-year-old wait and see.
“I’m 45, 46 in May, so you’re thinking maybe three or four more years at the top end of the game. I’ll put my heart and soul into it.
“Every credit to him – he played superb. He’s such a tough competitor to play against. For someone so young, he’s got everything. He’s a worthy winner.
“He’s a great player – he was fantastic. He’s got such an incredible all-round game.
“I had my chances and I’m sick, because I should have gone 6-3 in front. I should have been in control to go 8-5 in front.
“I had a couple of chances in the last frame there, so I’m gutted. But every credit to him, it’s a brilliant achievement winning it at such a young age, so congratulations to Yan.
“He’s the first one to break through after Ding [Junhui], in winning one of the massive tournaments. I’m sure that will spur a lot of the other Chinese boys on.
“If Yan can do it, they would love to do it. It was a great win for him.” said:
“We’ll