Ronnie O'Sullivan Embraces Underdog Role Ahead of Higgins Showdown
Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan has strategically positioned himself as the underdog in his upcoming World Championship second-round clash against longtime rival John Higgins. The psychological maneuver comes despite O'Sullivan's dominant 10-2 first-round victory over debutant He Guoqiang, where he recorded three century breaks.
The Class of '92 Collides Early in Crucible Draw
Both players, now aged 50, find themselves meeting earlier than expected in the tournament draw, with Higgins having secured his place through a hard-fought 10-7 win against Ali Carter. This sets up a quarterfinal berth showdown between two of snooker's most decorated competitors.
O'Sullivan's calculated comments attempt to shift expectations ahead of their three-session match beginning Saturday evening. "John loves playing me, he really enjoys it," O'Sullivan told the BBC. "I think he plays better against me than I do against him."
Recent Form Creates Narrative Shift
The Rocket highlighted their contrasting recent schedules to support his underdog claim. O'Sullivan has maintained a lighter tournament schedule this season and hasn't captured a ranking title since January 2024. Meanwhile, Higgins has competed more regularly and secured two significant tournament victories during 2025.
"I'll probably be a bit of an underdog because I've hardly played for the last three years, compared to John," O'Sullivan explained. "He's at every tournament and beating a lot of good players."
Pressure Dynamics and Age Realities
O'Sullivan's psychological approach extends to pressure distribution. "The pressure is off me and probably more on John in this match," he stated, despite bookmakers installing him as the clear favorite. The seven-time world champion also acknowledged feeling his age at the Crucible Theatre.
"Just going in the practice room and hanging around this venue I feel kind of old now because everyone's 22, 23," O'Sullivan admitted. "It's like walking into a creche. But we're still hanging around, having a go."
Praise for New Generation
Despite his veteran status, O'Sullivan expressed admiration for snooker's emerging talents, particularly teenage debutant Stan Moody. "He's got a lovely cue action and the way he gets through the ball, I think he's going to be a world champion for sure," O'Sullivan praised.
The Rocket also mentioned Liam Pullen among the promising newcomers, noting their presence "does make you feel a little bit out of place, thinking why am I still here?"
Realistic Self-Assessment
O'Sullivan offered a candid evaluation of his current capabilities compared to his peak years. "I'm not the player I was and probably never will be," he acknowledged. "I feel like I'm getting through the ball, but still not good enough to win these events."
The snooker icon revealed he now approaches tournaments differently. "I do little stints, go bang, bang, bang and I'm OK I can still do it. But I just want to enjoy myself and not be a slave to the game."
Brilliance Still Present
Despite his modest assessment, O'Sullivan demonstrated his enduring quality with a double-147 performance in Saudi Arabia this season and a record 153 break last month. His opening victory against He Guoqiang also showcased flashes of his legendary form.
As the Crucible prepares for this historic matchup between two snooker icons, O'Sullivan's psychological positioning adds an intriguing layer to what promises to be a compelling contest. "It should be a good game," O'Sullivan concluded, "hopefully I can give him a decent game."
