John Higgins suggests reason behind Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrawal and backs Rocket to return

John Higgins reckons Ronnie O’Sullivan will be working hard behind the scenes to get used to a new cue ahead of some big events coming up. The Rocket has not played since a brief appearance at the Championship League last month, where he was visibly frustrated with his game and pulled out before he had completed his matches. The seven-time world champion admittedly ‘lost the plot’ and snapped his cue before leaving the event in Leicester as frustrations boiled over.

Since then O’Sullivan has pulled out of the Masters, German Masters and this week’s Welsh Open, with no clarity on when he is going to be back on the table. Higgins is sure his old rival will be back in action soon enough and thinks he will just be getting used to a new cue after destroying the one he had been using for some time. There are big tournaments to come in China, Hong Kong and then back in the UK ahead of the World Championships starting in April, and the Wizard expects to see the Rocket involved.

‘I think he’ll be back,’ Higgins said after his second round win at the Welsh Open. ‘I think obviously it’s well-documented with his cue. ‘I think he’s one of the sort of guys who will not want to turn up to an event and not be used to the new piece of equipment that he wants to use. ‘I think he’ll be putting the hours in behind the scenes and getting himself ready for the last part of the season, without a doubt.’.

O’Sullivan has often opted out of events while fellow Class of 92 member Mark Williams has also skipped the odd event this season but Higgins tends to play in everything. Asked if he has considered taking a break he joked that he wouldn’t know what else to do with himself, although as much as he chuckled as he said it, there is a truth to it for the 49-year-old. ‘What would I do? What would I do apart from just get on my wife’s nerves? It’s all I’ve ever known. I don’t know what else I’d do!’ Higgins said with a smile.

‘It’s true! You see it happening with people when they retire from their jobs, it’s tough for them. I think I’ll just keep on going. It’s not hard work at the end of the day, it’s not hard work. Going to these place, nice hotels, flying there, it’s not hard work.’. The four-time world champion is also motivated to compete in everything right now as he looks to qualify for the upcoming Players Championship and Tour Championship and make sure he goes to the Crucible as a top 16 seed.

‘I’m on the borderline for everything just now, for the World Championships and the Players events,’ he said. ‘So I’d dearly love to have a good run here and cement my place and play the World Championships. That’s maybe driving you on a little bit.’. The motivation appears to be working with Higgins in excellent form so far this week in Llandudno. The Wizard whitewashed Graeme Dott in his opening match and beat Rob Milkins by the same 4-0 scoreline on Wednesday to book his place in the last 16.