John Higgins believes 'the greatest' Ronnie O'Sullivan is 'bigger than the sport'

Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins’ epic rivalry is still going on (Picture: Getty Images)

Ronnie O’Sullivan feels ‘bigger than the sport’ admits his long-time rival John Higgins, who still gets a buzz from facing the Rocket over 30 years after they first met.

The two all-time greats of snooker are at the UK Championship this week, with O’Sullivan hoping to extend his record total of seven wins, while Higgins is hunting down a fourth UK crown.

The pair have met 78 times in all competitions over their professional careers, and plenty more in junior competitions before that, but the Wizard of Wishaw still gets a kick out of taking on the Rocket.

‘It’s a different buzz for the likes of myself,’ Higgins told World Snooker Tour. ‘I would never really say there’s been any animosity, but there’s always been a little bit of “I need to try and beat this guy” because he has gone on to cement his place in 99.9% of people’s eyes as the greatest.

‘I even said it when I first clapped eyes on him when I was 16 or 17, I thought this guy was just incredible, there was something about him. Obviously that’s been proved right.’

While many believe no player is bigger than their sport, Higgins feels O’Sullivan may have reached that stage, with the level of support that the Rocket boasts far surpassing anything anyone else can claim.

‘When you play him now, he’s bigger than the sport in a way,’ said Higgins. ‘More and more people recognise him more than anyone else, he’s got such a huge fanbase around the world.

John Higgins has been battling away with the Rocket for over 30 years (Picture: Getty Images)

‘You think, when people look at rivalries, I’d be one of his main rivalries throughout his career which I suppose is a good thing.’

Higgins has explained before what makes O’Sullivan above his rivals, saying that it is not rocket science behind the Rocket’s success.

‘He’s just such a great snooker player, it’s not rocket science,’ Higgins told Metro.co.uk. ‘He’s got better cue ball control than anyone ever has in the game.

‘It gives him so many more opportunities to win frames. Which, add them up, to win frames, to win rounds, to win tournaments, it’s simple maths really. He’s got the best cue ball control and that’s why everyone’s striving to be like him, it’s not rocket science.’

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