JOHN HIGGINS has revealed it could be his last time playing at the Crucible.
The four-time world champion, 48, kicks off his title challenge against Jamie Jones today.
After losing to Mark Allen at the recent Tour Championship, gutted Higgins admitted this could be his “last crack” at the World Championship.
Asked if that was still the case, the Celtic-daft star said: “It could be my last time playing here, yes.
“The game’s tough, it really is.
“I’m going to immerse myself in the tournament and in Sheffield, give it everything and see where it takes me.
“Then we’ll just see what happens.”
At the end of last season, Higgins – whose comedian son Pierce has become a TikTok sensation – insisted he would consider his future if he fell out of the top 16.
The Wishaw wizard, who has not needed to qualify since 1995, added: “It’s my 30th year, and I’ve got to be proud of the fact that I’ve stayed at the top level for 30 years continuously here as a seed.
“That’s an achievement in its own right.
“The people who have retired before me have said that once you retire it’s the one you really miss, coming back and playing here.
“So that’s probably what will happen to me, too.
“When you hit the age of 50, that’s when the eyes begin to tell you that they are not working as well as they used to do.
“I’m nearly there, but we’ll wait and see what happens.”
Welshman Jones, 36, dumped out former world champion Neil Robertson 10-9 last week.
The world No 41, who is working with a sports psychologist, said: “I just need to keep telling myself I’m good enough, believing I’m good enough, and one day it will come.
“I’ve been threatening to be a good player for 20 years!
“These moments, playing the big players in front of the big crowd, will define me in a few years’ time.
“I’m really trying to make the most of this opportunity.
“I’ve got good memories at the Crucible and in Sheffield. I wish I could bottle up what happens to me in the World Championship.”
Meanwhile, Glasgow ace Stephen Maguire kicks off his second-round clash with 2005 champ Shaun Murphy on Friday.
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