'Calm down, pal' - Why John Higgins had message for over-eager supporter during Masters semi-final clash with Judd Trump
By Rhys Jones
Published 17/01/2026 at 17:36 GMT
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John Higgins kept himself from getting distracted during his Masters semi-final against Judd Trump, where he had to tell an excited fan in the crowd to "calm down." The Scottish great was in the zone during the fifth frame, and he tried to claw his way back against Trump when an eager supporter shouted out of turn, eliciting a response from the 50-year-old.
'Calm down, pal' - Higgins tells excited Alexandra Palace fan to relax in fifth frame
Video credit: TNT Sports
John Higgins took a brief pause from his attempted comeback against Judd Trump to tell an excited supporter to "calm down."
The Scotsman was two frames behind Trump, who originally held a 3-0 lead, when the Masters crowd at Alexandra Palace started to get a little bit too encouraging for his liking.
Having won back his first frame of the tie, Higgins opened the fifth frame after the interval and sought to continue his momentum.
One eager supporter hoped to join in and encourage him further, leading Higgins to respond.
"Come on, Johnny!" shouted the supporter.
Higgins replied by saying: "Calm down, pal. Calm down."
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'Typical Trump shot' - Trump hits neat double red in controlled third frame
Video credit: TNT Sports
The match referee also told the fan to be quiet, adding that he had to "get the right timing."
Higgins was attempting to stay in the zone and avoid any distractions, and quickly regathered himself to pot the black.
Class of '92 legend and four-time world champion Higgins is a fan favourite and has relished playing some incredible snooker to kick off the year. In reaching the semi-finals, he continues to defy Father Time.
Even with the fleeting interruption, he went on to score a century in the fifth frame and capture his second of the match, cutting Trump's lead down to 3-2 at the time.
- How John Higgins smashed a 40-year-old Masters snooker record to keep pace with Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams - 'An incredible feeling'
- Judd Trump relishes Masters semi-final clash with 'favourite' opponent John Higgins after 'scrappy' win over 'slow' Mark Allen
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Robertson plays pantomime villain with Ashes quip after win
Video credit: TNT Sports
The crowd at Ally Pally have been lively at the Masters so far.
Australian cueist Neil Robertson was on the wrong end of jeers from the animated pack of snooker fans following his quarter-final.
Robertson, as he had done a month before in York, immediately chastised the predominantly English crowd with an Ashes quip, summoning a round of boos directed his way.
Higgins is into the last four of the Masters for the tenth time, and at 50 years of age, he is the oldest semi-finalist since Eddie Charlton in 1983.
He is seeking a third Masters win to go alongside his victories in 1999 and 2006, and he reached this stage thanks to a dramatic deciding frame to beat Zhao Xintong 6-5 in the quarter-finals.
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Masters, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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