BBC SPORT | Other Sports | Snooker | Higgins fresh but worried

John Higgins warns that the defence of his Regal Masters title this week could be overshadowed by the in-fighting that is presently blighting snooker.

The former world champion and world number one is well refreshed after the longest close season in recent years as he prepares to start his defence against Ken Doherty or Jimmy White.

But, although the Glasgow tournament is close to his heart - success at the Thistle Hotel being his first on home soil - he said: "It's a terrible time to play snooker.

"There is a lot of animosity off the table amongst all the players."

The younger players just starting their careers wouldn't have had a chance to come through

John Higgins

Fellow Scot Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis last week issued a joint statement demanding an extraordinary meeting to remove the Board of Directors at the World Professional Snooker and Billiards Association.

World number four Higgins has been a supporter of the game's ruling body and benefited from a lucrative promotional contract.

That caused resentment in some quarters, but Higgins argues that the one-time takeover plans by 110 Sport also raised alarm among other professionals not aligned to the powerful Internet management stable.

A more recent �2.5m offer from Altium Limited to take over the game was withdrawn by the company last month.

"There are grievances on both sides," Higgins admits. "I would have liked 110 Sport to come in and work through the WPBSA."

Davis and Hendry demand change

Higgins has been approached in the past for him to play on a new tour.

"It was said that in two or three years the rubbish would be weeded out and you'd be left with the top 32 or top 40 players," he said.

"But that would only have been a temporary fix. The game is a whole lot bigger than that and the younger players just starting their careers wouldn't have had a chance to come through."

It is over four months since 27-year-old Higgins last picked up a cue for a major tournament, although he has been practising since mid-August.

He believes that the break, plus a more settled home life, has helped rekindle his interest and enthusiasm.

Winning the Masters was a monkey off my back

John Higgins

"For the last couple of seasons I haven't really been able to concentrate fully on the snooker," said Higgins, whose wife, Denise, was expecting their son Pierce 12 months ago during the Regal Masters.

"I've moved house twice, got married and become a dad for the first time, so it's been hectic.

"But now things are almost back to normal.

"Winning the Masters was a monkey off my back because I'd lost four or five finals in Scotland.

"So I can't wait to get started and hopefully kick off the season with a win."

Higgins was the form player at the start of last term. Despite the imminent arrival of the baby, Higgins became the first player to win the opening three events of a new season.

Higgins lines up alongside 11 others in the six-day tournament, which starts on Tuesday afternoon, all chasing a �65,000 winner's cheque.


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