Snooking right Mr Higgins

It is often said that the mark of a great player is his ability to comeback. A player who has showed that trait with aplomb is four-time world professional snooker champion John Higgins. He has courted controversy, hit lows, yet he never stops to amaze with his knack for comebacks. From being asked to deplane for being drunk in 2006, to serving a six-month ban for disobeying match-fixing rules, three years ago, he's seen it all.

Ask him about the troubled times, and he replies with a serene smile, “You have to be true to yourself and believe in yourself. It also matters that people close to you believe in you.

You can't please people a 100 per cent.“

The 38-year-old, who is currently ranked 12 in the world has always been a man who wears his heart on his sleeves, but age, family and experience has sobered him. But when it comes to competing, he still believes he's far from being written off.

“I've always tried to look forward as I've never looked behind.

Every tournament I enter, I feel I can win. I've not had a great year and a lot of people are thinking that Higgins is beginning to fall. I like proving people wrong. I want to win as many titles as I can.“

The Scot, who was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2008, has been a professional player for almost two decades and believes the love for the sport keeps him going.

“Snooker is all I know. I love playing and competing against everybody. I love the game -even watching it. I just love snooker, the passion has stayed,“ he adds. Few know that if not for a snooker exponent, the stout green baize star would have been crunching numbers at a bank.

“When I was growing up, I was always good with numbers so I would have probably been a bank manager or something do with numbers,“ he revealed.

Among the most admired players of the modern era, life on the road leaves him little time to pursue other interests. “It's difficult because snooker is all I know. I have a family, three children, so when I come back, I spend time with them and do the things my wife does with them -take them to swimming class or rugby .“

Emphasising on his role as a husband and father, Higgins says, “When I'm home, I realise I need to do the job my wife does.
She's so busy so when I'm home, I'm just a dad and a husband.“

Speaking about his three chil dren, Higgins' eyes light up, “I have two boys 12 and eight, and my little girl is five. My boys love acting and drama. They love being on stage doing musicals, and my little girl loves to be the boss and own daddy .“

With the wheel of fortune always in motion, win or lose, Higgins says he's here to stay .

“I haven't lost my motivation, although it is difficult to balance family life as you can't be away all the time, but I think I will compete as long as my eyes can see,“ was the legend's parting shot. ON CUE Boyhood hero: Steve Davis because he was always winning and I back the winner.

Best moment: The 1998 World Championships title.

The first world title is something you always dream of winning.

Superstitions: If I start winning in a tournament, I like to wear the same socks and I always get them dry cleaned after every match but yes when I win, I try and wear the same socks. I think they bring me luck, but it's not always possible.

Other sports fol lowed: I like watching football.

Athletico Celtic is my favourite team. I watch different sports like tennis and golf, but football is my favourite.