April 1st 2024.
John Higgins had a tough first round match against Mark Allen in Manchester. Even though he played well, he ended up losing to the Pistol in a close 10-7 contest at the Tour Championship on Monday night. Allen was in top form, making three centuries and four half-centuries to secure the victory.
Higgins started the match strong, scoring four half-centuries in the first five frames and taking a 4-1 lead. However, he couldn't maintain his momentum and Allen made a comeback in the second session to seal the win. Despite the loss, Higgins was impressed by Allen's performance and turned his attention to the upcoming World Championship.
In an interview with ITV, Higgins admitted that he should have been ahead in the match and praised Allen for his strong play. He also acknowledged that he made some costly mistakes and his long game was not up to par. For Higgins, this defeat was a reminder that at this level, every shot counts and even a small slip-up can lead to a loss.
Looking ahead to the World Championship, Higgins is determined to give it his all, but he also hinted that this could be his last shot at the title. He plans to regroup and get some good practice in before heading to the Crucible. Whether he was just disappointed by the loss or genuinely considering retirement, it was clear that the 48-year-old was starting to think about the end of his career.
In a previous interview with The Agency, Higgins had expressed uncertainty about his future in the sport. While he still loves playing and competing, he is struggling with the off-table aspects of the game, such as practice and staying motivated. However, his recent decision to work with a sports psychologist for the first time in his career suggests that he is not ready to retire just yet.
At 48 years old, Higgins is still ranked #10 in the world and is determined to make the most of his remaining years on the professional circuit. His performance at the World Championship could determine his future in the sport. Will he be able to add a fifth world title to his impressive resume, or will he decide to hang up his cue and move on to other pursuits?
Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Higgins is not ready to give up on snooker just yet. He still has a passion for the game and is determined to compete at the highest level. As he prepares for the World Championship, he will be looking to turn his disappointment into motivation and give it his all on the biggest stage in snooker.
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