Higgins nervous ahead of defence

Scot bidding to become first back-to-back winner since Hendry

Last updated: 12th April 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Higgins nervous ahead of defence

Higgins: Three-time winner

I've never experienced pressure like it so I'm sure it will be the same when I go back next Saturday.

John Higgins on starting the defence of his title
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John Higgins knows he will be feeling uneasy when he begins the defence of his Betfred.com World Championship title on Saturday.

Not since Stephen Hendry in 1996 has a champion successfully defended his Crucible crown and the three-time winner freely admits he will be feeling the pressure when he shakes hands with Barry Hawkins.

"I've been through it twice before, and it's the most nerve-wracking place to be, going back and hitting the first ball as a defending champion," said the 34-year-old.

"I've never experienced pressure like it so I'm sure it will be the same when I go back next Saturday. I've actually got butterflies even thinking about it."

And Higgins knows he will need to be at his best when he takes on the world number 17.

"I've had a good year and I've already got to number one for next season so that's in the bag," Higgins said.

"I feel good, but as I've known in the past you can go there feeling good and fall flat on your face.

"And also you can go there not feeling good about your game and everything just clicks for those 17 days and you end up winning the thing. I've experienced it from both ends."

Higgins has also joined the chorus of applause for new snooker boss Barry Hearn's plans to expand the game globally and bring new tournaments into the calendar.

Hearn's plans will go to a players' vote following the championships and Higgins added: "I think we need someone like Barry in to try to boost our sport because we've been dragging our heels and slowly, steadily, getting into worse shape.

"I don't think we're in a position to be against anything really as a sport. We've fallen behind most other sports in a big way lately and we've got to try everything to try to get ourselves back in the public eye."