John Higgins’ three-word quip he’s telling wife at World Championship | Other | Sport

John Higgins has had to reassure his wife not to worry when he is losing as “I’m always behind” in the World Snooker Championship. The Scot came from behind to defeat another former World Champion at the Crucible.

After the match, BBC presenter Hazel Irvine asked him how he manages to keep calm when, seemingly, on the edge of defeat. Higgins then went on to say he has so much experience of trailing in big matches, he always feels comfortable when the odds are against him, as he often tells his wife Denise.

He said: “It’s just always going home with a deficit. It’s amazing, Denise is with me this year and I’m just saying ‘I’m always behind. I’m always behind.’

“But that gives you the belief that you can come out and do it because if you’re in front and then you fall behind, maybe some matches you’re thinking I can’t come back here but when I’m always behind, it’s as if I feel like I’ve always got a chance.”

Higgins will have a familiar foe waiting for him in Shaun Murphy, who recently knocked out defending champion and many people’s favourite Zhao Xintong. Higgins has already gone one better than last year, when he was just edged out in a disappointing quarter-final loss to Mark Williams.

Having relived the loss of last year on many occasions, Higgins said he was relieved to banish that demon and qualify for the single table format. He said: “It’s a great achievement.

“I think, getting back to the one-table, being so close last year with Mark. It was heartbreaking in a way, when you watch it on the TV because you’d love to get back there one more time.

“I’m managing to do it, it’ll be an amazing feeling to step out there in the Crucible, just me and Shaun, it’ll be amazing.”