John Higgins has made his thoughts on fellow snooker great Ronnie O'Sullivan perfectly clear, admitting that O'Sullivan is the only player who could possibly coach him, despite the pair not being close. Higgins, 51, has largely flown solo throughout his illustrious career, opting not to enlist a coach or mentor, and has no intention of changing that approach now.
Higgins on Coaching and Rivalry
The four-time world champion legitimately questioned who could tell him something he does not already know about his game. The only name that comes to mind is seven-time Crucible king Ronnie O'Sullivan. Higgins said: "I just look at these great champions and just think, who's going to tell me when I'm out there, what player? Maybe O'Sullivan? I don't know. I just think I'd have more experience than other guys trying to come in and tell me. I think I know as much as I'm ever going to know in this game. So that's why I've always just kept to myself."
Any collaboration between the pair looks out of the question, given they remain rivals 34 years after turning professional at the same time. The pair produced one of the matches of the recent World Championship, with Higgins edging their second-round clash after a final-frame decider.
Respect but Not Friendship
While both men have immense respect for each other and for fellow 'Class of 92' member Mark Williams, they are not friends. O'Sullivan recently told TNT Sports: "I think Mark and John are better friends than I am with them. I don't really get close to anyone on the snooker circuit, because I don't really hang around tournaments. No one sees me. I'd rather be down the gym or go running, or go to nice restaurants, while a lot of the players hang out with each other."
Higgins concurred, telling the Talking Snooker podcast: "I get asked about that and it's the same answer I give. I don't really know Ronnie at all. When you think all these years we've been on the tour, we've never really been that close, I could count on one hand the amount of meals we've had together. But I've got the utmost respect for him as a snooker player, incredible player and I think it goes back to what I said about Mark Williams. Going for the same titles, you cannot be all that friendly with each other. Respect of course, but being friends, nah. We're different characters as well, the three of us, totally different characters."
Occasional Friction
Despite the respect, there has been occasional friction away from the table. In 2021, Higgins was unhappy when O'Sullivan said youngsters should not bother taking up the game because it was not a "sexy sport" anymore. Higgins shot back: "I thought it was a disgrace what he was saying. That he'd be saying to young kids, 'Don't play snooker.' I thought that was dreadful for someone as good as that to sit there and say that."
Friends or not, the pair will continue their storied rivalry when the 2026/27 season begins.
