Ronnie O'Sullivan makes John Higgins claim ahead of 'one of the biggest occasions' in snooker history - 'I'd have won more'

React to this story

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan believes he would have won more silverware in his career if he had the skillset of his 'Class of 92' rival John Higgins.

'If I had his game, I'd have won more' - O'Sullivan on 'everyone's favourite player' Higgins

Video credit: TNT Sports

O'Sullivan, widely considered the greatest snooker player of all time, holds the record for most ranking titles won (41) since 1976, a tally which includes 23 Triple Crown titles.

By contrast, Higgins - who, like O'Sullivan, is 50-years-old - has won 33 ranking events, with four World Championship trophies to his name.

The pair have established themselves among the all-time snooker greats, and will meet in the last 16 of the World Championship in a three-day blockbuster starting on Saturday evening - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

China Open

Watch every 147 of the season in snooker loopy start to new campaign

3 hours ago

O'Sullivan used two different cues as he eased past qualifier He Guoqiang in the first round, and looked close to his best after recent struggles, which have seen him pull away from competing regularly on the snooker tour.

The Rocket was full of praise for second-round opponent Higgins as he spoke to TNT Sports before the clash.

"Technically yeah, he’s got great technique, plays great safety, scores well," O'Sullivan said. "Pots as well as anybody.

'We don't need Fergie time!' - Scholes captivated as O'Sullivan sinks another century for victory

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I felt if I had his game, I’d have won more than I have now. It’s not just technique, there’s other things that make you win more. John’s an amazing player. Probably everyone’s favourite player."

Drawn on the difference between himself and Higgins, O'Sullivan said: "John’s grittier. Prepared to tough it out more, naturally that’s normal for him. I have to work at that, to dig in a bit.

"His temperament is incredible. He’s got great bottle. There’s so many things to admire, he’s got a lot of good qualities."

O'Sullivan and Higgins have faced off six times at the Crucible, dating back to their 1996 quarter-final, with three wins each in that period. O'Sullivan spoke of the evolution in their rivalry.

"I think we were both more competitive when we were younger," O'Sullivan said. "As we’ve got older we’ve embraced it more, wished each other well, respected each other and looking back, how we were when we were younger probably stood us in good stead."

When the draw for this year's World Championship was made, eyes were immediately drawn towards O'Sullivan and Higgins on their early collision course.

O'Sullivan lays out retirement plans, now treats snooker as 'a hobby'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Higgins had to navigate a tricky opener against Ali Carter in order to do his part in setting up the tie and O'Sullivan displayed a three-frame masterclass on Wednesday to clinically seal his first-round win.

But the Essex star insists he is not aware of the clamour around the upcoming match.

"I don’t know," O'Sullivan said. "I live my life in such a bubble, I don’t read the papers, I don’t know what’s going on, what people are saying. Hopefully it’s a good match for the fans and I can give John a decent game."

O'Sullivan said he is now ready to enjoy the occasion of playing in the high-pressured environment of the Crucible after battling some nerves on his return.

"After the first match is out the way, that’s a big thing," he said. "I just want to go out there and enjoy the match, enjoy the competition, whatever John throws as me, try and respond.

"I’m a toe-to-toe player, I’m not going to hide. I’m not going to sit on the fence, I’ll go out and try to impose myself. That’s all I’ve ever tried to do and that usually finds fault in my opponents.

"But John is one of those opponents that I really have to be at it for a long time to eventually get a chink in the armour. But we could both go out and really struggle."

'One of the biggest occasions in the history of the sport'

While O'Sullivan played down the enormity of the second-round clash, TNT Sports expert Alan McManus did quite the opposite.

O'Sullivan and Higgins were set to meet in the first round of the 2025 Masters before O'Sullivan withdrew and McManus is relishing the prospect of the pair finally doing battle once more on the baize.

O'Sullivan v Higgins will be 'one of the biggest occasions in the history of the sport'

Video credit: TNT Sports

On O'Sullivan wrapping up victory over He in Wednesday's swift afternoon session, McManus said: "It was only a sample size we got from him this afternoon but the quality was a sight to behold.

"It really was. He can make them sing and dance in just two or three frames and it’s wonderful to see.

"We know John’s in good touch, his game is where he wants it to be, he's been vocal about being as good a player now as he ever has been.

"Ronnie probably isn’t, for good reason that we know about. He’s been awesome down the years. We’ve been deprived of a meeting at the Masters about 15 months ago, but we’re not going to be deprived anymore. I cannot wait."

McManus added: "If you think back to the glory days of the Crucible, imagine you could go back and watch Steve Davis play Alex Higgins, imagine you could go back now and watch Stephen Hendry against Jimmy [White] all over again.

"That’s what we’re talking about but, because we’re living in their world right now [we take it for granted]. But actually, this is going to be one of the biggest occasions in the history of the sport, never mind just this place, just because of the achievements they both have. It’s going to be wonderful."

O'Sullivan turns down 147, hits dazzling century to put match 'beyond any doubt'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Fellow TNT Sports expert Reanne Evans reckons both O'Sullivan and Higgins and call upon their previous success at the Sheffield venue as fuel to spur themselves on to the quarter-finals.

"These are two of the very best that the sport has produced," Evans said. "I’d put Higgins up there with Ronnie, Ronnie just ahead. He’s that good.

"Been to so many finals here himself, could be on the seventh title himself. It’s fantastic to see these guys having a resurgence in form and loving the game.

"Obviously, they’ve played for so long, they’re going to have that little dip, but how great is it for us that they still want to perform for us at this great venue.

"Hats off to them. Not only do they believe they’re better players in some aspects of the game, they’re just complete players. You have to scrape them off the table when they’re in the mood to be there.

"When they have memories to fall back on, time and time again you’re going to be hard to beat. Even if you’re struggling, you think, 'I was awesome here a few years ago, I can do it again.'"

You can watch every day of the 2026 World Snooker Championship live on TNT Sports. It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.

Shanghai Masters