Snooker: John Higgins bids to overcome ageing process

WORLD Snooker Champion John Higgins is aiming to put a “very bad” season behind him when he defends his title this month.

The four-time champion has failed to win a tournament and fallen to sixth in the world rankings following his 2011 World Championship triumph.

He said: “The season’s been very bad so far, I’ve not played well at all and I’ve not been putting enough effort into my game, but I’m hoping to rectify that. I go away next Friday and hopefully I can get two weeks’ good practice in and play well.

“But it’s getting tougher every year. I’m getting older and the players are getting younger and better, and maybe my eyesight’s going a little bit as well.

“But I still think I’m good enough that I can maybe go down and win it.”

Following a six-month ban in 2010, the 36-year-old returned to the game and his time away from the table provided extra motivation ahead of the 2011 World Championship.

He said: “Maybe you’re fated to do things in life and maybe that was my moment to go on and win that. It was a great moment for everybody involved and everyone who is close to me and I would love to do it again, but I’m now one of the older guys – I’ve got the grey hair to prove it as well – but hopefully I can use my experience.”