John Higgins#Suspension

As amateur players, Higgins and Mark Williams faced each other in two finals in 1991. At the World Junior Masters Higgins won, while Williams won the British Junior Championship.{{Cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |date=13 December 2010 |title=John Higgins fights back to beat Mark Williams and win UK Championship |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/dec/13/john-higgins-mark-williams-uk-championship |access-date=11 September 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=28 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228025427/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/dec/13/john-higgins-mark-williams-uk-championship |url-status=live }} The following year, Higgins turned professional. He reached the last eight of the 1993 British Open during his first season on the tour, before losing 3–5 to Jimmy White. Aged 19, Higgins defeated Dave Harold 9–6 in the final of the 1994 Grand Prix. This was the first ranking title of his career.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/skoda_res.shtml |title=1994 New Skoda Grand Prix |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304195506/http://www.snooker.org/trn/skoda_res.shtml |archive-date=4 March 2022 |url-status=live }} The same season, he also won the 1995 International Open and the 1995 British Open, making him the first teenager to win three ranking events in a single season.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/brit_res.shtml |title=1995 Castella Classic British Open |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008005606/http://www.snooker.org/trn/brit_res.shtml |archive-date=8 October 2021 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/Trn/inter_res.shtml |title=1995 Sweater Shop International Open |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304195504/http://www.snooker.org/Trn/inter_res.shtml |archive-date=4 March 2022 |url-status=live }} He reached the finals of the 1995 Welsh Open, losing 3–9 to Steve Davis, and the 1995 Masters, losing by the same score to Ronnie O'Sullivan. His first time playing at the World Snooker Championship in 1995 he lost 3–10 in the first round to fellow Scottish player Alan McManus. Later that year he won his fourth ranking title at the inaugural 1995 German Open beating Ken Doherty 9–3 in the final.{{cite web |title=German Open |url=http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124071707/http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=20 |archive-date=24 January 2013 |accessdate=20 November 2017 |publisher=Snooker Scene}}{{cite web |date=20 April 2012 |title=German Open 1995 |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/9596/go_res.shtml |access-date=29 November 2021 |publisher=Snooker.org}}

At the 1996 International Open he defeated Rod Lawler 9–3 in the final, to retain the championship. Later that season, at the 1996 World Snooker Championship, he defeated Martin Clarke 10–5 in the first round and McManus 13–5 in the second round. Facing O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals, he led 12–10, but lost the match 12–13 after O'Sullivan won the last three frames.{{Cite web |last=Kane |first=Desmond |date=30 April 2022 |title='Terribly exciting' – Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and a golden sporting rivalry that has defied time |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/terribly-exciting-ronnie-o-sullivan-john-higgins-and-a-golden-sporting-rivalry-that-has-defied-time_sto8903215/story.shtml |access-date=11 September 2023 |website=www.eurosport.com |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703155206/https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/terribly-exciting-ronnie-o-sullivan-john-higgins-and-a-golden-sporting-rivalry-that-has-defied-time_sto8903215/story.shtml |url-status=live }} At the 1996 UK Championship, he defeated Tony Drago, Williams and Doherty to reach the final, where he faced the world champion, Stephen Hendry. Higgins trailed 4–8 before winning five consecutive frames to lead 9–8; however, he lost the final 9–10.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/9697/uk_res.shtml |title=UK Championship 1996 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008075456/http://www.snooker.org/trn/9697/uk_res.shtml |archive-date=8 October 2021 |url-status=live }} He won his sixth ranking title at the 1997 European Open, defeating Parrott 9–5 in the final. He reached the quarter-finals again at the 1997 World Championship, but lost 9–13 to eventual winner Doherty. He won the 1997 German Open, beating Parrott 9–4 in the final, and won his eighth ranking title at the 1998 British Open, beating Hendry 9–8 in the final.{{cite web |title=British Open 1998 |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/9798/bo98_res.shtml |accessdate=15 January 2018 |publisher=snooker.org}}{{cite web |title=British Open |url=http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124071502/http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=14 |archive-date=24 January 2013 |accessdate=15 January 2018 |publisher=Snooker Scene}}

At the 1998 World Snooker Championship, Higgins defeated Jason Ferguson 10–8, Anthony Hamilton 13–9, John Parrott 13–11 and O'Sullivan 17–9 in the semi-finals. In the final, he defeated the defending champion Doherty 18–12 to win his first World Championship and ninth ranking title. He made a then-record 14 centuries during the tournament (Hendry beat his record, with 16 centuries, at the 2002 World Championship, which Mark Williams equalled at the 2022 World Championship).{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/9798/wc98_res.shtml |title=Embassy World Championship 1998 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024121337/http://www.snooker.org/trn/9798/wc98_res.shtml |archive-date=24 October 2021 |url-status=live }} Higgins' success had seen him advance rapidly up the world rankings. In the 1994/1995 rankings, he was 51st; in the 1995/1996 rankings, he was 11th; and in the 1996/1997 and 1997/1998 rankings, he was second. After winning the world title, Higgins became world number one in the 1998/1999 rankings, ending Hendry's eight consecutive years in the top spot.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/9899/rk_9899.shtml |title=1998/99 Embassy World Rankings |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803113907/http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/9899/rk_9899.shtml |archive-date=3 August 2021 |url-status=live }}

During the 1998–99 season, Higgins won the 1998 UK Championship, defeating Matthew Stevens 10–6 in the final,{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/9899/uk98_res.shtml |title=Liverpool Victoria UK Championship 1998 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512200115/http://www.snooker.org/trn/9899/uk98_res.shtml |archive-date=12 May 2021 |url-status=live }} and the 1999 Masters, defeating Doherty 10–8 in the final.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/9899/bm99_res.shtml |title=Benson & Hedges Masters 1999 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604103836/http://www.snooker.org/trn/9899/bm99_res.shtml |archive-date=4 June 2021 |url-status=live }} By winning the UK, Masters and World Championships, Higgins completed a career Triple Crown. He was also the third player, after Steve Davis and Hendry, to hold the three titles simultaneously, an achievement later emulated by Mark Williams. Higgins is also one of six players to have won both the World Championship and UK Championship in the same calendar year; the others are Davis, Hendry, Parrott, O'Sullivan and Mark Selby.{{Citation |title=Triple Crown. |work=World Snooker Tour |date=4 January 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5F_z7BZKjA |access-date=26 March 2024 |language=en |via=YouTube}}

Higgins held the world number one position for two seasons{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/9900/rk_9900.shtml |title=1999/2000 Embassy World Rankings |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531065317/http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/9900/rk_9900.shtml |archive-date=31 May 2021 |url-status=live }} before Williams replaced him at the top of the rankings.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0001/rk_20002001.shtml |title=2000/2001 Embassy World Rankings |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604121654/http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0001/rk_20002001.shtml |archive-date=4 June 2021 |url-status=live }} Higgins and Williams met in the 1999 Grand Prix final, where Higgins came from 2–6 down to claim a 9–8 victory.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/9900/gp99_res.shtml |title=Grand Prix 1999 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629121856/http://www.snooker.org/trn/9900/gp99_res.shtml |archive-date=29 June 2021 |url-status=live }} They also met in the 2000 World Snooker Championship semi-finals, where Higgins initially led 14–10 but ultimately lost 15–17.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/9900/wc2000_res.shtml |title=Embassy World Championship 2000 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701052309/http://www.snooker.org/trn/9900/wc2000_res.shtml |archive-date=1 July 2021 |url-status=live }} They also played again in the 2000 UK Championship final, where Higgins won 10–4 to claim his second UK title.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0001/uk2000_res.shtml |title=Liverpool Victoria UK Championship 2000 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923212529/http://www.snooker.org/trn/0001/uk2000_res.shtml |archive-date=23 September 2021 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2000/uk_championship_snooker/1053036.stm|title=Higgins too hot for Williams|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 December 2010|date=3 December 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221183346/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2000/uk_championship_snooker/1053036.stm|archive-date=21 February 2014|url-status=live}} Higgins reached his second world final at the 2001 World Snooker Championship, but lost 14–18 to O'Sullivan.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0001/wc2001_res.shtml |title=Embassy World Championship 2001 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716171615/http://www.snooker.org/trn/0001/wc2001_res.shtml |archive-date=16 July 2021 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/world_snooker_championship/1317956.stm|title=O'Sullivan takes World title|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 December 2010|date=7 May 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212134530/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/world_snooker_championship/1317956.stm|archive-date=12 December 2012|url-status=live}} At the beginning of the 2001–02 season, he became the first player to win the opening three tournaments in a season: the 2001 Champions Cup in August,{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/Trn/0102/ccup2001_res.shtml |title=Champions Cup 2001 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426013437/http://www.snooker.org/Trn/0102/ccup2001_res.shtml |archive-date=26 April 2021 |url-status=live }} the 2001 Scottish Masters in September,{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0102/sm2001_res.shtml |title=Regal Scottish Masters 2001 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426060453/http://www.snooker.org/trn/0102/sm2001_res.shtml |archive-date=26 April 2021 |url-status=live }} and the 2001 British Open in October.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/Trn/0102/bo2001_res.shtml |title=Stan James British Open 2001 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702044855/http://www.snooker.org/Trn/0102/bo2001_res.shtml |archive-date=2 July 2021 |url-status=live }} He failed to win a major title for another three years, until the 2004 British Open.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0405/bo2004_res.shtml |title=British Open 2004 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426013747/http://www.snooker.org/trn/0405/bo2004_res.shtml |archive-date=26 April 2021 |url-status=live }} Clive Everton later claimed that Higgins "lost his edge" during this period, due to becoming preoccupied with fatherhood; Higgins' wife Denise confirmed that she had to "push him out of the house to practise".

In the 2005 Grand Prix final, Higgins comprehensively defeated O'Sullivan 9–2.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1034 |title=Grand Prix 2005 |website=snooker.org |access-date=6 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515153201/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1034 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4348072.stm|title=Superb Higgins blows Rocket away|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 December 2010|date=16 October 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406071049/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4348072.stm|archive-date=6 April 2012|url-status=live}} He became the first player to make four consecutive centuries in a ranking event, with breaks of 103, 104, 138 and 128 in frames 7–10. Higgins also scored a then-record 494 points without reply in the match.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/oct/17/snooker.cliveeverton|title=Century-maker Higgins overwhelms O'Sullivan|work=The Guardian|access-date=13 December 2009|date=17 October 2005|location=London|first=Clive|last=Everton|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502075736/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/oct/17/snooker.cliveeverton|archive-date=2 May 2014|url-status=live}} Of Higgins' performance, O'Sullivan commented that he had "never seen anything like it", while Everton stated that Higgins was "back to the kind of form which gave him the 1998 world title". Higgins and O'Sullivan also faced each other in consecutive Masters finals in 2005 and 2006. Higgins lost 3–10 in 2005.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/trn/0405/m2005_res.shtml |title=Rileys Club Masters 2005 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101021218/http://www.snooker.org/trn/0405/m2005_res.shtml |archive-date=1 November 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4282449.stm|title=Awesome O'Sullivan wins Masters|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 December 2010|date=20 February 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406070037/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4282449.stm|archive-date=6 April 2012|url-status=live}} In 2006, he lost the first three frames, but won the next five to lead after the first session. O'Sullivan levelled the scores in the evening session and the match went to a deciding frame. O'Sullivan missed a {{cuegloss|red ball}} to a {{cuegloss|baulk pocket}} while on a {{cuegloss|break}} of 60, and Higgins made a {{cuegloss|clearance}} of 64 to win 10–9 and claim his second Masters title.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1039 |title=SAGA Insurance Masters 2006 |website=snooker.org |access-date=6 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406075614/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1039 |archive-date=6 April 2022 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4637756.stm|title=Higgins claims Masters thriller|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 December 2010|date=23 January 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204033446/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4637756.stm|archive-date=4 February 2012|url-status=live}}

At the 2007 World Snooker Championship, Higgins beat Michael Holt, Fergal O'Brien, O'Sullivan and Stephen Maguire en route to the final. Trailing 10–14 against Maguire, Higgins won 17–15,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6620629.stm|title=Classy Higgins books final berth|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 December 2010|date=5 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215170816/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6620629.stm|archive-date=15 December 2013|url-status=live}} making the 1,000th century to be made at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield since the World Championship was first staged there in 1977. In the final, Higgins held a 12–4 advantage over Selby overnight, but Selby reduced his arrears to a single frame on day two. However, at 14–13, Higgins rediscovered his form to win four consecutive frames to clinch the match 18–13 to secure his second World title at 12:54 am, the latest finish to a World final (equalled when Neil Robertson beat Graeme Dott in 2010); and nine years after his first title – the longest time span between successes since Alex Higgins (1972, 1982) and the longest at the Crucible. He regained world number one status.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=243 |title=World Championship 2007 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120195031/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=243 |archive-date=20 January 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6633177.stm|title=Higgins beats brave Selby in epic|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 December 2010|date=8 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423181807/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/6633177.stm|archive-date=23 April 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/0708/ranking.asp |title=World Rankings 2007/2008 |website=snooker.org |date=18 April 2009 |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523034354/http://www.snooker.org/rnk/0708/ranking.asp |archive-date=23 May 2011 |url-status=live }}

As World Champion, Higgins best performance was only reaching the quarter-final stages in the Welsh Open{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1009 |title=Welsh Open 2008 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616174406/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1009 |archive-date=16 June 2021 |url-status=live}} and China Open{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1010 |title=Honghe Industrial China Open 2008 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126072649/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1010 |archive-date=26 November 2020 |url-status=live}} tournaments. He helped to establish, and actively promoted, the World Series of Snooker{{cite news

| url = http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rodgilmour/4079291/Newcomers_enjoy_snooker_resurgence/

| title = Newcomers enjoy snooker resurgence

| author = Rod Gilmour

| publisher = The Daily Telegraph Blogs

| date = 21 April 2008

| access-date = 26 January 2009

| location = London

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095031/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rodgilmour/4079291/Newcomers_enjoy_snooker_resurgence/

| archive-date = 4 March 2016

| url-status = dead

}}{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jan/16/snooker.sport| title=Higgins backs new world series| work=The Guardian| access-date=30 December 2010| date=16 January 2008| first=Clive| last=Everton| location=London| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114102050/http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jan/16/snooker.sport| archive-date=14 November 2012| url-status=live}} – a tour intended to bring snooker to new venues outside the traditional United Kingdom and recently developed Far East markets. He won the inaugural event in St. Helier in June 2008, beating Mark Selby 6–3 in the final. Higgins also devised a new players' union with his manager Pat Mooney, called The Snooker Players Association. He won the Grand Prix for the fourth time in 2008,{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=987 |title=Royal London Watches Grand Prix 2008 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512014022/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=987 |archive-date=12 May 2021 |url-status=live}} beating Ryan Day 9–7 in the final in Glasgow – his first ranking tournament win on home soil.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7678955.stm|title=Higgins resists Day to take title|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 December 2010|date=19 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225111316/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/7678955.stm|archive-date=25 December 2008|url-status=live}}

At the 2009 World Snooker Championship, Higgins beat Michael Holt 10–5 in round one. His second-round and quarter-final matches both went the full distance of 25 frames, with Higgins overcoming Jamie Cope{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8021492.stm|title=Higgins edges out Cope in classic|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 December 2010|date=27 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501004336/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8021492.stm|archive-date=1 May 2009|url-status=live}} and Mark Selby,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8023589.stm|title=Epic win sees Higgins into semis|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 December 2010|date=29 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820030556/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8023589.stm|archive-date=20 August 2010|url-status=live}} respectively, to win 13–12. He established a 13–3 lead in the semi-final against Mark Allen and progressed 17–13 .{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8027621.stm|title=Higgins downs Allen to make final|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 December 2010|date=2 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322100407/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8027621.stm|archive-date=22 March 2012|url-status=live}} Higgins recorded an 18–9 victory over Shaun Murphy in the final{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=61 |title=Betfred.com World Championship 2009 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515134438/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=61 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |url-status=live}} to become the ninth player to win the World title three or more times after Joe Davis, Fred Davis, John Pulman, John Spencer, Ray Reardon, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8032814.stm|title=Higgins earns third world crown|date=4 May 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=6 May 2009|location=London|first=Mark|last=Ashenden|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505011910/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8032814.stm|archive-date=5 May 2009|url-status=live}}

In the 2009–10 season, as reigning World Champion, he lost 5–6 on the black ball to Neil Robertson in the semi-final of the Grand Prix;{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=68 |title=Grand Prix 2009 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804014500/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=68 |archive-date=4 August 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8300795.stm|title=Robertson and Ding set for final|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 December 2010|date=10 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126063012/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8300795.stm|archive-date=26 November 2009|url-status=live}} and 8–10 to Ding Junhui in the final of the UK Championship,{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=71 |title=Pukka Pies UK Championship 2009 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829075400/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=71 |archive-date=29 August 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8410961.stm|title=Ding Junhui beats John Higgins in UK Championship final|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 December 2010|date=14 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415062037/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8410961.stm|archive-date=15 April 2010|url-status=live}} after surviving a comeback by Ronnie O'Sullivan in the semi-final when leading 8–2, to advance 9–8 the previous evening. He also defeated Neil Robertson 9–8 during the tournament.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8409862.stm |title=John Higgins edges Ronnie O'Sullivan to make UK final |work=BBC Sport |access-date=30 December 2010 |date=12 December 2009 |first=Mark |last=Ashenden |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429092440/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8409862.stm |archive-date=29 April 2011 |url-status=live }} He captured the Welsh Open title by defeating Ali Carter 9–4 in the final,{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=117 |title=Totesport.com Welsh Open 2010 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126074417/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=117 |archive-date=26 November 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8490376.stm|title=John Higgins beats Ali Carter to lift Welsh Open title|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 December 2010|date=31 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201053337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8490376.stm|archive-date=1 February 2010|url-status=live}} and ended the season as world number one despite an 11–13 loss to Steve Davis in round two of the World Championship.{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=59 |title=Betfred.com World Championship 2010 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123214431/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=59 |archive-date=23 January 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8641717.stm|title=Legend Steve Davis stuns John Higgins in Crucible epic|date=24 April 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427061859/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8641717.stm|archive-date=27 April 2010|url-status=live}}

On 2 May 2010, Higgins and his manager, Pat Mooney, a World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) board member, were the subject of match-fixing allegations. They were filmed in a sting operation conducted by the News of the World.{{cite news|last=Greenslade|first=Roy|title=How the News of the World's fake sheikh snookered John Higgins|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2010/may/10/newsoftheworld-snooker|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 April 2011|location=London|date=10 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203234812/http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2010/may/10/newsoftheworld-snooker|archive-date=3 February 2014|url-status=live}} On 30  April, an undercover News of the World team, led by Mazher Mahmood, posing as promoters, had met Higgins and his manager in a hotel room in Kyiv under the pretence of organising a series of events linked to the World Series of Snooker. The newspaper alleged that Higgins and Mooney had agreed to lose four frames in four separate tournaments in exchange for a total payment of €300,000 and further discussed the mechanics of how to fix a frame, which tournaments and opponents to choose and how Higgins would receive the money. Higgins was immediately suspended from the game and Mooney resigned from his position on the WPBSA board.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8656905.stm|work=BBC News|date=2 May 2010|access-date=2 May 2010|title=John Higgins suspended in snooker bribe probe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504193754/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8656905.stm|archive-date=4 May 2010|url-status=live}}{{cite news

| url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/7668328/John-Higgins-suspended-following-News-of-the-World-allegations-to-fix-snooker-matches.html

| title = John Higgins suspended following News of the World allegations to fix snooker matches

| work = The Daily Telegraph

| date = 2 May 2010

| access-date = 2 May 2010

| location = London

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100505075914/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/7668328/John-Higgins-suspended-following-News-of-the-World-allegations-to-fix-snooker-matches.html

| archive-date = 5 May 2010

| url-status = live

}} Higgins issued a statement on the day of the allegations. He denied that he had ever been involved in match-fixing and explained that he had decided to "play along" out of fears for his safety, suspecting the involvement of the Russian Mafia.{{Cite news

| url = https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/may/02/john-higgins-snooker-statement

| title = John Higgins: 'My conscience is 100% clear' after bribery allegations

| work = The Guardian

| last = Middleton

| first = Dave

| date = 2 May 2010

| access-date = 2 May 2010

| location = London

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131113023731/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/may/02/john-higgins-snooker-statement

| archive-date = 13 November 2013

| url-status = live

}}

A full investigation was conducted into the allegations by David Douglas, former Metropolitan Police detective chief superintendent and head of the WPBSA's disciplinary committee. The independent tribunal that followed in September 2010, hosted by Sports Resolutions (UK) and chaired by Ian Mill QC, concurred that the WPBSA was right to conclude that Higgins had truthfully accounted for his words and actions and to withdraw the more serious charges of match-fixing, but found him guilty of "giving the impression" that he would breach betting rules and of failing to report the approach made to him by the News of the World. Higgins received a six-month ban, backdated to the start of his suspension period, and was fined £75,000.{{cite web |author=The World Profession Billiards & Snooker Association Limited Disciplinary Hearing Board |website=sportingintelligence.com |title=In full: the John Higgins 'match fix' ruling by Ian Mill QC |date=8 September 2010 |url=http://www.sportingintelligence.com/2010/09/08/in-full-the-john-higgins-match-fix-ruling-by-ian-mill-qc-080902 |access-date=19 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222080139/http://www.sportingintelligence.com/2010/09/08/in-full-the-john-higgins-match-fix-ruling-by-ian-mill-qc-080902/ |archive-date=22 February 2011 |url-status=live }}

Higgins returned to professional competition on 12 November 2010 in the Ruhr Championship – European Players Tour Championship (EPTC) event five in Hamm and went on to win the tournament beating Shaun Murphy 4–2 in the final.{{cite web |website=snooker.org |title=Euro Players Tour Championship Event Five (2010) |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=11 |access-date=30 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616174759/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=11 |archive-date=16 June 2021 |url-status=live }} At the next event, the Prague Classic, the sixth European Players Tour event, he reached the final again, but lost 3–4 to Michael Holt.{{cite web |website=snooker.org |title=Euro Players Tour Championship Event Six (2010) |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=12 |access-date=30 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616174402/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=12 |archive-date=16 June 2021 |url-status=live }}

At the 2010 UK Championship, his first tournament on British soil since his return, he reached his third final in succession. He fought back from 2–7 and 5–9 down against Mark Williams, and from 7–9 after trailing 0–61 and needing a {{cuegloss|snooker}} to level the match.{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |author-link=Clive Everton |title=John Higgins fights back to beat Mark Williams and win UK Championship |work=The Guardian |date=13 December 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/dec/13/john-higgins-mark-williams-uk-championship |access-date=2 May 2011 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228025427/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/dec/13/john-higgins-mark-williams-uk-championship |archive-date=28 February 2014 |url-status=live }} He made a 68 break in the decider and sealed a 10–9 victory with a {{cuegloss|double}} on the {{cuegloss|brown ball}}.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/9279924.stm|title=John Higgins beats Mark Williams to win UK title|date=12 December 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213045324/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/9279924.stm|archive-date=13 December 2010|url-status=live}} As a result of his progress in those three events, where he won 18 out of 19 matches, Higgins earned sufficient points to regain his position as world number one under the new two-year rolling ranking system after having slipped to third by missing the start of the 2010–11 snooker season.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2243824,00.html |title=Higgins – My Finest Hour |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217091612/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~2243824%2C00.html |archive-date=17 December 2010 |date=14 December 2010 |publisher=worldsnooker.com |access-date=1 September 2016 |url-status=dead }}

Higgins lost in the first round of the 2011 Masters 4–6 against Graeme Dott,{{cite web|title=Ladbrokes Mobile Masters 2011|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=29|website=snooker.org|access-date=17 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925220511/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=29|archive-date=25 September 2021|url-status=live}} and withdrew from the German Masters after defeating Robert Milkins 5–3 in round one,{{cite web|title=German Masters (2011)|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=24|website=snooker.org|access-date=24 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130083836/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=24|archive-date=30 November 2021|url-status=live}} to return home due to the deteriorating health of his father, who subsequently died from cancer.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2285286,00.html |title=News | Players Pay Tribute To John Higgins Senior |publisher=World Snooker |date=21 September 2010 |access-date=5 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207174141/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~2285286%2C00.html |archive-date= 7 February 2011 }} A little over two weeks later, Higgins successfully defended his Welsh Open title by beating Stephen Maguire 9–6 in the final{{cite web |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=25 |title=Wyldecrest Park Homes Welsh Open (2011) |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014201613/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=25 |archive-date=14 October 2021 |url-status=live }} – dedicating victory to his late father. Higgins won the Hainan Classic, defeating Jamie Cope in the final.{{cite web|title=Higgins thrashes Cope to win Hainan Classic |url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/13032011/58/higgins-thrashes-cope-win-hainan-classic.html |date=13 March 2011 |website=Yahoo! Sport |access-date=14 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322141947/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/13032011/58/higgins-thrashes-cope-win-hainan-classic.html |archive-date=22 March 2011 |url-status=dead }} Higgins reached the quarter-final of the China Open, where he lost 2–5 against Shaun Murphy.{{cite web|title=Bank of Beijing China Open (2011)|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=27|website=snooker.org|access-date=23 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521095026/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=27|archive-date=21 May 2021|url-status=live}} Higgins' next tournament was the Scottish Professional Championship, where he defeated Anthony McGill 6–1 in the final.{{cite web|title=2011 Scottish Professional Championship |url=http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-tournaments-scottish-professional-snooker-championship-2011.asp |website=global-snooker.com |access-date=17 April 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813200756/http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-tournaments-scottish-professional-snooker-championship-2011.asp |archive-date=13 August 2012 }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/snooker/13089793.stm|title=In-form John Higgins wins Scottish title|date=14 April 2011|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415082625/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/snooker/13089793.stm|archive-date=15 April 2011|url-status=live}}

In the 2011 World Snooker Championship, Higgins defeated Stephen Lee 10–5 in the first round, Rory McLeod 13–7 in the second round and Ronnie O'Sullivan 13–10 in the quarter-finals.{{cite news |title=World Championship scores and schedule |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/9390290.stm |access-date=2 May 2011 |date=22 April 2011 |archive-date=17 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017195208/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/9390290.stm |url-status=live }} On the way to a 17–14 victory over Mark Williams in the semi-finals, Higgins was heckled by an audience member who shouted out, "How do you swallow that three hundred thousand, John? ... You're a disgrace to snooker."{{cite news |last=Hart |first=Simon |title=World Snooker Championship 2011: stage set for Crucible classic as John Higgins edges out old foe Mark Williams |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=30 April 2011 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/8486028/World-Snooker-Championship-2011-stage-set-for-Crucible-classic-as-John-Higgins-edges-out-old-foe-Mark-Williams.html |access-date=2 May 2011 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504140702/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/8486028/World-Snooker-Championship-2011-stage-set-for-Crucible-classic-as-John-Higgins-edges-out-old-foe-Mark-Williams.html |archive-date=4 May 2011 |url-status=live }} Higgins went on to defeat Judd Trump 18–15 in the final to win his fourth world title,{{cite news |last=Ashenden |first=Mark |title=World Snooker: Higgins beats Trump to win fourth title |work=BBC Sport |date= 2 May 2011 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/snooker/13261459.stm |access-date=2 May 2011}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/8488851/World-Snooker-Championship-2011-John-Higgins-wins-fourth-title-as-Judd-Trump-captures-Crucible-crowd.html|title=John Higgins wins fourth title as Judd Trump captures Crucible crowd|date=3 May 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=3 May 2011|location=London|first=Simon|last=Hart|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504205351/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/8488851/World-Snooker-Championship-2011-John-Higgins-wins-fourth-title-as-Judd-Trump-captures-Crucible-crowd.html|archive-date=4 May 2011|url-status=live}} which prompted Steve Davis to comment "I think John Higgins is the best snooker player I've ever seen in my life".{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/9473375.stm | website=BBC News | first=Jonathan | last=Stevenson | title=Trump v Higgins as it happened | date=2 May 2011 | access-date=4 May 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504065055/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/9473375.stm | archive-date=4 May 2011 | url-status=live }} Despite the victory, Higgins lost the world number one ranking to Mark Williams.{{cite news |last=Everton |first=Clive |author-link=Clive Everton |title=Judd Trump recovers his poise to level semi-final with Ding Junhui |work=The Guardian |date=29 April 2011 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/apr/29/world-snooker-championship-2011-semi-finals |access-date=2 May 2011 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116125456/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/apr/29/world-snooker-championship-2011-semi-finals |archive-date=16 January 2014 |url-status=live }}

In the 2011–12 snooker season, reaching only two quarter-finals of major ranking events. His season-best performance was reaching the semi-finals of the Masters, where he lost 4–6 to Shaun Murphy.{{cite web | url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?season=2011&player=237 | title=John Higgins 2011/2012 | website=snooker.org | access-date=5 September 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005115303/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=237&season=2011 | archive-date=5 October 2012 | url-status=live }} Before the 2012 World Snooker Championship, he admitted that he had not practiced much throughout the season and did not feel confident about defending his title.{{Cite web |title=Out-of-practice Higgins fears early exit |url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/out-practice-higgins-fears-early-exit-1634094 |access-date=15 April 2022 |website=www.scotsman.com |date=12 April 2012 |language=en |archive-date=15 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415133754/https://www.scotsman.com/sport/out-practice-higgins-fears-early-exit-1634094 |url-status=live }} In the first round of the tournament, he came from 6–8 down to defeat Liang Wenbo 10–9.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17800380 | title=World Snooker Championship 2012: Higgins beats Liang | work=BBC Sport | access-date=5 September 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625142703/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17800380 | archive-date=25 June 2012 | url-status=live }} He then played Hendry in the second round, the first time the two players had ever met in a World Championship match, but Hendry won 13–4, with Higgins calling it the worst he had ever played at the Crucible.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17869318 | title=World Snooker Championship 2012: Hendry crushes Higgins | work=BBC Sport | access-date=5 September 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430031308/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/17869318 | archive-date=30 April 2012 | url-status=live }} He finished the season ranked world number five.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/1d/b0/0,,13165~176157,00.pdf |title=Official World Ranking List for the 2012/2013 Season |access-date=5 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616125200/http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/1d/b0/0%2C%2C13165~176157%2C00.pdf |archive-date=16 June 2013 }}

File:John Higgins and Peter Lines at Snooker German Masters (DerHexer) 2013-01-30 02.jpg

Higgins started the 2012–13 season by winning his 25th ranking title at the Shanghai Masters, after coming back from 2–7 down to defeat Judd Trump 10–9 in the final.{{cite news | url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2012/0923/338696-higgins-records-maximum-but-trails-trump-in-china/ | title=John Higgins hits maximum and comes up trumps in Shanghai Masters | publisher=RTÉ Sport | access-date=17 May 2013 | date=23 September 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213030934/http://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2012/0923/338696-higgins-records-maximum-but-trails-trump-in-china/ | archive-date=13 December 2012 | url-status=live }} He made a maximum break during the final and another in his second-round match against Mark Davis at the 2012 UK Championship.{{cite news | url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2012/1205/357079-higgins-racks-up-maximum-break-at-barbican/ | title=John Higgins racks up maximum break at UK Championship | publisher=RTÉ Sport | access-date=17 May 2013 | date=5 December 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202233421/http://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2012/1205/357079-higgins-racks-up-maximum-break-at-barbican/ | archive-date=2 December 2013 | url-status=live }} He won the minor-ranking Kay Suzanne Memorial Trophy, defeating Trump 4–2 in the final, also reaching the final of the minor-ranking Bulgarian Open, where he lost 0–4 to Trump. However, Higgins did not enjoy sustained success for the rest of the season, reaching only one other semi-final of a major ranking event, the World Open, which he lost 2–6 to Mark Allen.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/other-sports/snooker/scottish-open-john-higgins-crashes-1492367 |title=Scottish Open: John Higgins crashes out to unranked amateur Jordan Brown |work=Daily Record |date=16 December 2012 |access-date=16 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330060646/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/other-sports/snooker/scottish-open-john-higgins-crashes-1492367 |archive-date=30 March 2014 }}{{cite web | url=http://www.espn.co.uk/snooker/sport/story/195600.html | title=Higgins falls short of final as Stevens edges Robertson | publisher=ESPN | access-date=17 May 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234948/http://www.espn.co.uk/snooker/sport/story/195600.html | archive-date=30 December 2013 | url-status=live }} He exited the 2013 World Snooker Championship in the first round, losing 6–10 to Mark Davis.{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-mark-davis-punishes-sloppy-john-higgins-8583660.html | title=Snooker: Mark Davis punishes sloppy John Higgins | work=The Independent | access-date=17 May 2013 | location=London | date=22 April 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123063225/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/snooker-mark-davis-punishes-sloppy-john-higgins-8583660.html | archive-date=23 January 2014 | url-status=live }} Afterward, he admitted that doubts about whether he could remain at the top of the world rankings after 20 years as a professional had affected his form.{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/10011609/John-Higgins-fears-for-his-future-in-tournaments.html | title=John Higgins fears for his future in tournaments | work=The Telegraph | access-date=27 April 2013 | location=London | date=22 April 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426032302/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/10011609/John-Higgins-fears-for-his-future-in-tournaments.html | archive-date=26 April 2013 | url-status=live }} He finished the season ranked 11th, slipping out of the top 10 for the first time in 17 seasons.{{cite web | url=http://snooker.org/Rnk/#Archives | title=World Rankings Archive | website=snooker.org | access-date=30 December 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209072532/http://snooker.org/rnk/#Archives | archive-date=9 February 2014 | url-status=live }}

Playing with a new cue, he won the minor-ranking 2013 Bulgarian Open with a 4–1 victory over Neil Robertson in the final, having beaten Shaun Murphy and Ronnie O'Sullivan earlier in the event.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~3204851,00.html |title=Strong Start For Higgins |publisher=World Snooker |access-date=9 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613094740/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~3204851%2C00.html |archive-date=13 June 2013 }} He reached the final of the season's first major ranking event, the 2013 Wuxi Classic, which he lost 7–10 to Robertson.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/23020260 | title=Wuxi Classic: Neil Robertson beats John Higgins in China final | work=BBC Sport | date=23 June 2013 | access-date=25 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625025625/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/23020260 | archive-date=25 June 2013 | url-status=live }} He changed his cue again before defending his Shanghai Masters title, but lost 1–5 to Mark Davis in the last 16.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/24165798 | title=Shanghai Masters: Mark Davis thrashes John Higgins | work=BBC Sport | date=19 September 2013 | access-date=5 December 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210220614/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/24165798 | archive-date=10 December 2013 | url-status=live }} His Kay Suzanne Memorial Cup title defence ended when he was whitewashed 0–4 by Andrew Higginson in the last 128.{{cite web | url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/442120/Snooker-John-Higgins-crashes-out | title=Snooker: John Higgins crashes out | work=Daily Express | date=10 November 2013 | access-date=30 December 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230232844/http://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/442120/Snooker-John-Higgins-crashes-out | archive-date=30 December 2013 | url-status=live }} He lost 2–4 to Ding Junhui in the last 16 of the 2013 Indian Open,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/24458039|title=Indian Open 2013: Results|access-date=31 December 2013|work=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219215455/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/24458039|archive-date=19 December 2013|url-status=live}} and 2–6 to Matthew Stevens in the last 32 of the 2013 International Championship.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/24657112|title=International Championship 2013: Results|access-date=31 December 2013|work=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230082938/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/24657112|archive-date=30 December 2013|url-status=live}} In the invitational 2013 Champion of Champions, he lost 3–4 in the first round to Maguire.{{cite web|title=888casino Champion of Champions (2013)|url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=280|website=snooker.org|access-date=14 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021164335/http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=280|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}

Higgins called his form "soul-destroying"{{cite web | url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/scotland-travel/john-higgins-hits-out-at-critics-as-struggle-for-form-goes-on-drwmrkdbvrw | title=John Higgins hits out at critics as struggle for form goes on | work=The Times | date=3 December 2013 | access-date=6 December 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206011808/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/snooker/article3938459.ece | archive-date=6 December 2013 | url-status=live }} as lost 3–6 to Maguire in the last 16 of the 2013 UK Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/other-sports/snooker/uk-snooker-championship-stephen-maguire-2881271 |title=UK Snooker Championship: Stephen Maguire sends John Higgins spinning out in battle of the Scots |last=Goulding |first=Neil |website=Scottish Daily Record |date=4 December 2013 |access-date=5 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222183532/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/other-sports/snooker/uk-snooker-championship-stephen-maguire-2881271 |archive-date=22 February 2014 }} Referring to Higgins' frequent changes of cue, Joe Johnson alleged in commentary that Higgins was "searching for something that is not there" and "looking for someone or something to blame" for his poor form.{{cite web | url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/other/johnson-new-cue-wont-help-higgins-143559n.22794452 | title=Johnson: New cue won't help Higgins | work=Evening Times | date=26 November 2013 | access-date=5 December 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211021511/http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/other/johnson-new-cue-wont-help-higgins-143559n.22794452 | archive-date=11 December 2013 | url-status=live }} Higgins retaliated by claiming that players in Johnson's era had struggled to make breaks of 30 or 40 on tables with much larger pockets and by calling Johnson one of the sport's worst commentators.{{cite web | url=http://www.espn.co.uk/snooker/sport/story/262927.html | title=Higgins launches attack on former professionals | publisher=ESPN | date=2 December 2013 | access-date=5 December 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204040456/http://www.espn.co.uk/snooker/sport/story/262927.html | archive-date=4 December 2013 | url-status=live }} After the UK Championship, he slipped to number 12 in the world rankings, having failed to progress beyond the last 16 of any tournament since the Wuxi Classic in June.{{cite web | url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=11 | title=World Rankings | website=snooker.org | access-date=5 December 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221093139/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=11 | archive-date=21 December 2013 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=237 | title=John Higgins 2013/2014 Results | website=snooker.org | access-date=31 December 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102155336/http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=237 | archive-date=2 January 2014 | url-status=live }}

Before the 2014 Masters, Higgins revealed that he had reached the "depths of despair" after the UK Championship, after spending months "in turmoil". He also revealed that he had switched to a fourth new cue, had regained his tempo and felt that he was playing better than he had in some time.{{cite web|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/snooker-revitalised-higgins-back-cue-win-bingham-masters-212458756--spt.html |title=Masters 2014: Mark Selby and John Higgins into quarter-finals |date=12 January 2014 |access-date=13 January 2014 |last=Kane |first=Desmond |website=Yahoo! Sport |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114071930/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/snooker-revitalised-higgins-back-cue-win-bingham-masters-212458756--spt.html |archive-date=14 January 2014 }} He defeated Stuart Bingham 6–2 in the first round,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25705472|title=Snooker – Revitalised Higgins back on cue with win over Bingham at Masters|date=12 January 2014|access-date=13 January 2014|work=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113145624/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25705472|archive-date=13 January 2014|url-status=live}} but lost 5–6 in the quarter-finals to defending champion Selby, despite having led the match 5–3.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25761630|title=Masters 2014: Mark Selby beats John Higgins 6–5 in thriller|date=17 January 2014|access-date=17 January 2014|work=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116234030/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25761630|archive-date=16 January 2014|url-status=live}}

File:John Higgins at Snooker German Masters (Martin Rulsch) 2014-01-29 09.jpg]]

At the 2014 German Masters, Higgins lost 3–5 to Dominic Dale in the last 32.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25971664|title=Mark Selby & Neil Robertson beaten at German Masters|date=30 January 2014|access-date=3 February 2014|work=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302061134/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/25971664|archive-date=2 March 2014|url-status=live}} At the 2014 Welsh Open, he defeated Trump 4–3 in the last 16,{{Cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/snooker/news/12040/9188318/welsh-open-john-higgins-tops-judd-trump-ronnie-osullivan-awaits|title=Welsh Open: John Higgins tops Judd Trump; Ronnie O'Sullivan awaits|date=27 February 2014|access-date=28 February 2014|publisher=Sky Sports|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228191448/http://www1.skysports.com/snooker/news/12040/9188318/welsh-open-john-higgins-tops-judd-trump-ronnie-osullivan-awaits|archive-date=28 February 2014|url-status=live}} but lost 1–5 to O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/26390055|title=Ronnie O'Sullivan reaches Welsh Open semi-finals|date=28 February 2014|access-date=28 February 2014|work=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306195717/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/26390055|archive-date=6 March 2014|url-status=live}} He reached a third consecutive ranking tournament quarter-final at the Players Tour Championship Finals, but lost 1–4 to Marco Fu.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/other-sports/snooker/snooker-john-higgins-looks-bright-3298080 |title=Snooker: John Higgins looks on the bright side as Marco Fu gets in the groove in Preston |work=Daily Record |location=Scotland |date=29 March 2014 |access-date=2 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502165930/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/other-sports/snooker/snooker-john-higgins-looks-bright-3298080 |archive-date= 2 May 2014 }} He suffered a second consecutive first-round exit from the World Championship when he lost 7–10 to fellow Scot Alan McManus.{{Cite web |date=22 April 2014 |title=Alan McManus fends off John Higgins fightback for first-round victory |url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/22/alan-mcmanus-john-higgins-world-snooker-championships |access-date=15 April 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=15 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415134057/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/22/alan-mcmanus-john-higgins-world-snooker-championships |url-status=live }} After the match, Higgins described himself as a "journeyman top-16 player now," suggesting that he no longer regarded himself among the top contenders at tournaments.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/27116257 | title=World Snooker Championship: John Higgins a 'journeyman' | work=BBC Sport | date=22 April 2014 | access-date=22 April 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422175655/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/27116257 | archive-date=22 April 2014 | url-status=live }} He ended the campaign as the world number 11, the lowest he has been at the end of the season in 19 years.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/71/c1/0,,13165~180593,00.pdf |title=World Snooker Rankings After the 2014 World Championship |publisher=World Snooker |access-date=9 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508030740/http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/71/c1/0%2C%2C13165~180593%2C00.pdf |archive-date= 8 May 2014 }}

Higgins continued to struggle in the opening ranking events of the 2014–15 season, losing 4–5 to Alan McManus in the last 32 of the Wuxi Classic,{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/28027795 | title=Wuxi Classic: Mark Selby loses to Liang Wenbo in China | work=BBC Sport | date=25 June 2014 | access-date=17 September 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018015252/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/28027795 | archive-date=18 October 2014 | url-status=live }} 2–5 to Robert Milkins in the last 16 of the Australian Goldfields Open,{{cite web | url=http://www1.skysports.com/snooker/news/12040/9368809/australian-goldfields-open-rob-milkins-too-good-for-john-higgins | title=Australian Goldfields Open: Rob Milkins too good for John Higgins | publisher=Sky Sports | date=4 July 2014 | access-date=17 September 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909124159/http://www1.skysports.com/snooker/news/12040/9368809/australian-goldfields-open-rob-milkins-too-good-for-john-higgins | archive-date=9 September 2014 | url-status=live }} and 4–5 to Ryan Day in the last 32 of the Shanghai Masters.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/29135952 | title=Shanghai Masters: Judd Trump & John Higgins lose in first round | work=BBC Sport | date=9 September 2014 | access-date=17 September 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913012848/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/29135952 | archive-date=13 September 2014 | url-status=live }} He defended his minor-ranking Bulgarian Open title, but lost 1–4 against Judd Trump in the last 64.{{cite web|title=European Tour Event Three (2014)|url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=338|website=snooker.org|access-date=5 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004073826/http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=338|archive-date=4 October 2014|url-status=live}} At the ranking International Championship, he lost 1–6 to Li Hang in the last 64.{{cite web | url=http://www.espn.co.uk/snooker/sport/story/361217.html | title=Higgins shocked in China | publisher=ESPN | date=27 October 2014 | access-date=27 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027210711/http://www.espn.co.uk/snooker/sport/story/361217.html | archive-date=27 October 2014 | url-status=live }} He lost 1–4 to Barry Hawkins in the first round of the Champion of Champions invitational tournament,{{cite web |url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=22&event=352 |title=Champion of Champions Results |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109160542/http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=22&event=352 |archive-date=9 November 2014 |url-status=live }} and in the last 64 of the minor-ranking Ruhr Open, he failed to score a single point on his way to a 0–4 defeat by Marco Fu, who outscored Higgins by a cumulative total of 412 points to 0.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4320343,00.html |title=Trump / Murphy / Fu Through |publisher=World Snooker |date=22 November 2014 |access-date=26 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202061028/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0%2C%2C13165~4320343%2C00.html |archive-date= 2 December 2014 }}

Higgins arrived at the 2014 UK Championship stating that he was struggling for confidence and concerned that a poor result in the championship could cost him his top-16 ranking and his place at the Masters.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/other-sports/snooker/johnfidence-booster-higgins-gets-uk-4703912

|title=Johnfidence booster: Higgins gets his UK Championship title challenge off to a winning start

|work=Daily Record

|date=27 November 2014 |access-date=5 December 2014 |url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208121108/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/other-sports/snooker/johnfidence-booster-higgins-gets-uk-4703912

|archive-date= 8 December 2014 }} However, he defeated Lee Walker 6–2, Jamie Cope 6–4 and Matthew Stevens 6–2 to reach the last 16, where he lost 5–6 to Anthony McGill.{{cite web|title=Coral UK Championship (2014) |url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=353 |website=snooker.org |access-date=5 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207165428/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=353 |archive-date= 7 December 2014 }} This was enough to keep him inside the top 16, at number 14. At the Masters, he faced Mark Allen in the first round. Even though he made three century breaks, Higgins lost the match 4–6.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/30817870 | title=Masters 2015: John Higgins loses to Mark Allen | work=BBC Sport | date=14 January 2015 | access-date=14 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123161255/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/30817870 | archive-date=23 January 2015 | url-status=live }} After the match, he said that "I feel my form is steadily coming back – even when I've been losing matches I have still been gaining nuggets of confidence and I thought I played pretty well again."{{cite web | url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/john-higgins-racks-up-some-positives-despite-first-round-masters-exit-194406n.116203394 | title=John Higgins racks up some positives despite first round Masters exit | work=Evening Times | date=15 January 2015 | access-date=15 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214140332/http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/john-higgins-racks-up-some-positives-despite-first-round-masters-exit-194406n.116203394 | archive-date=14 February 2015 | url-status=live }}

In the 2015 German Masters, Higgins lost 2–5 to Peter Ebdon in the first round,{{cite web | url=http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/article/663/9699656/german-masters-snooker-mark-selby-survives-anthony-mcgill-scare | title=Selby survives McGill scare | work=Sporting Life | date=7 February 2015 | access-date=14 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214123924/http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/article/663/9699656/german-masters-snooker-mark-selby-survives-anthony-mcgill-scare | archive-date=14 February 2015 | url-status=live }} but he at the Welsh Open, he defeated Stephen Maguire 5–1 in the quarter-finals, Luca Brecel 6–4 in the semi-finals and Ben Woollaston 9–3 in the final to claim a fourth Welsh Open title, his first ranking title in two and a half years.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/31577818 | title=John Higgins beats Ben Woollaston to win Welsh Open | work=BBC Sport | date=22 February 2015 | access-date=23 February 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225012924/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/snooker/31577818 | archive-date=25 February 2015 | url-status=live }} In the last 16 of the 2015 Indian Open, he suffered a sixth consecutive defeat to Mark Davis when he lost 0–4, scoring only 38 points in the match.{{cite news |date=13 March 2015 |title=Indian Open snooker: Two former world champions eliminated before quarters |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/snooker/billiards/Indian-Open-snooker-Two-former-world-champions-eliminated-before-quarters/articleshow/46553910.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=30 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719130727/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/snooker/billiards/Indian-Open-snooker-Two-former-world-champions-eliminated-before-quarters/articleshow/46553910.cms |archive-date=19 July 2015 |url-status=live }} He lost 3–4 to Graeme Dott in the last 32 of the World Grand Prix and lost by the same scoreline to Stephen Maguire in the last 32 of the Players Championship Grand Final. In the China Open, he reached the quarter-finals, defeating Dott and Trump along the way, but lost 4–5 to Ding Junhui.{{cite web | url=http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/article/663/9779137/china-open-snooker-draw-schedule-results | title=China Open Snooker Results | publisher=SportingLife | access-date=30 April 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502073815/http://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/article/663/9779137/china-open-snooker-draw-schedule-results | archive-date=2 May 2015 | url-status=live }} At the 2015 World Snooker Championship, Higgins won his first match at the event since 2012 with a 10–5 first round victory over Robert Milkins, but he lost 9–13 to Ding Junhui in the second round, despite winning five of the first six frames.{{cite news |date=25 April 2015 |title=Ding Junhui puts paid to John Higgins' hopes of fifth world championship |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/25/ding-junhui-beats-john-higgins-snooker-world-championship |work=The Guardian |agency=Press Association |access-date=30 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527141410/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/25/ding-junhui-beats-john-higgins-snooker-world-championship |archive-date=27 May 2015 |url-status=live }}

Higgins won his 27th ranking title at the 2015 Australian Goldfields Open by beating Martin Gould 9–8 in the final.{{cite web | url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/higgins-on-top-down-under/ | title=Higgins on Top Down Under | date=5 July 2015 | publisher=World Snooker | access-date=6 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614163849/http://www.worldsnooker.com/higgins-on-top-down-under/ | archive-date=14 June 2017 | url-status=live }} Later that year, he also defeated David Gilbert 10–5 in the final of the 2015 International Championship. This put Higgins level with Steve Davis in the list of total ranking events won.{{cite web | url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/higgins-equals-davis-tally/ | title=Higgins Equals Davis Tally | date=November 2015 | publisher=World Snooker | access-date=6 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918170930/http://www.worldsnooker.com/higgins-equals-davis-tally/ | archive-date=18 September 2016 | url-status=live }} Higgins started his quarter-final with Neil Robertson at the 2015 UK Championship by making the 600th century break of his career, but lost the match 5–6.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/35007859 | title=UK Championship: Neil Robertson beats John Higgins in York | work=BBC Sport | access-date=6 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917155328/http://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/35007859 | archive-date=17 September 2016 | url-status=live }} Higgins reached the semi-finals of the China Open, but lost 5–6 after Ricky Walden made a 131 break in the deciding frame.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/35950420 | title=China Open: Ricky Walden & Judd Trump through to Sunday's final | work=BBC Sport | access-date=6 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917180707/http://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/35950420 | archive-date=17 September 2016 | url-status=live }} He defeated Ryan Day 10–3 and Walden 13–8 at the 2016 World Snooker Championship, but lost 13–11 to Alan McManus in the quarter-finals, having been 11–9 ahead. He said later that he had "cracked under pressure".{{cite web | url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/veteran-mcmanus-shocks-higgins/ | title=Veteran McManus Shocks Higgins | date=27 April 2016 | publisher=World Snooker | access-date=6 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429173827/http://www.worldsnooker.com/veteran-mcmanus-shocks-higgins/ | archive-date=29 April 2016 | url-status=live }}

Higgins lost in the quarter-finals of both the 2016 English Open and International Championship, 5–1 to Judd Trump and 6–2 to Ding Junhui respectively.{{cite web| url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=237&season=2016| title=John Higgins 2016/2017| website=snooker.org| access-date=13 February 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220013552/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=237&season=2016| archive-date=20 February 2017| url-status=live}} He faced Stuart Bingham in the final of the inaugural China Championship; with the scores tied at 7–7, Higgins made three successive centuries to claim the title and £200,000, which was, at the time, the highest prize awarded outside the United Kingdom.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/37884990| title=China Championship: John Higgins beats Stuart Bingham in final| work=BBC Sport| access-date=13 February 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222140021/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/37884990| archive-date=22 December 2016| url-status=live}} At the 2016 Champion of Champions, he defeated Ding 6–5 in the semi-finals despite Ding making four centuries in the match.{{cite web| url=http://www.eurosport.com/snooker/champion-of-champions/2016-2017/higgins-and-o-sullivan-to-clash-in-champion-of-champions-final_sto5945934/story.shtml| title=Higgins and O'Sullivan to clash in Champion of Champions final| date=11 November 2016| publisher=Eurosport| access-date=15 January 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118094414/http://www.eurosport.com/snooker/champion-of-champions/2016-2017/higgins-and-o-sullivan-to-clash-in-champion-of-champions-final_sto5945934/story.shtml| archive-date=18 January 2017| url-status=live}} Higgins defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan 10–7 in the final to win his second title in a week.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/37964193| title=Champion of Champions final: John Higgins beats Ronnie O'Sullivan 10–7| work=BBC Sport| access-date=18 February 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221164141/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/37964193| archive-date=21 December 2016| url-status=live}} In the second round of the 2016 Northern Ireland Open, he made the eighth maximum break of his career and also scored breaks of 137 and 130 in a 4–1 victory over Sam Craigie.{{cite web| url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/irish-open/2016-2017/watch-john-higgins-produces-fabulous-147-break-in-belfast_sto5951323/story.shtml| title=John Higgins produces fabulous 147 break in Belfast| date=16 November 2016| publisher=Eurosport| access-date=18 February 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219182558/http://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/irish-open/2016-2017/watch-john-higgins-produces-fabulous-147-break-in-belfast_sto5951323/story.shtml| archive-date=19 February 2017| url-status=live}} He lost a deciding frame to Selby in the quarter-finals of the 2016 UK Championship.{{cite web| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/dec/02/mark-selby-defeats-john-higgins-quarter-final-uk-championship| title=Mark Selby defeats John Higgins 6–5 after nail-biting deciding frame| work=The Guardian| date=2 December 2016| agency=Press Association |access-date=18 February 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308065016/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/dec/02/mark-selby-defeats-john-higgins-quarter-final-uk-championship| archive-date=8 March 2017| url-status=live}} He closed out 2016 by beating O'Sullivan 5–2 in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Open and then came back from 5–1 down to Judd Trump to win the semi-final 6–5.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/38351800| title=Scottish Open: John Higgins stuns Judd Trump to reach final| work=BBC Sport| access-date=18 February 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218062853/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/38351800| archive-date=18 December 2016| url-status=live}} In the final against Marco Fu, he made three centuries in moving 4–1 ahead, but then lost eight frames in a row to lose 4–9.{{cite web| url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/fu-fighter-claims-glasgow-glory/| title=Brilliant Fu Claims Glasgow Glory| date=18 December 2016| publisher=World Snooker| access-date=18 February 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222150141/http://www.worldsnooker.com/fu-fighter-claims-glasgow-glory/| archive-date=22 December 2016| url-status=live}} Higgins won the non-ranking Championship League by beating Ryan Day 3–0 in the final.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

At the 2017 World Snooker Championship, Higgins reached his first world final in six years. He became, aged 41, the oldest finalist in 35 years.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/higgins-hits-form-beat-allen/|title=Higgins Hits Form to Beat Allen|date=22 April 2017 |publisher=World Snooker|access-date=2 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428144504/http://www.worldsnooker.com/higgins-hits-form-beat-allen/|archive-date=28 April 2017|url-status=live}} In a rematch of the 2007 final, he faced Mark Selby. Higgins took a 10–4 lead, but then lost 12 of the next 14 frames, eventually losing 15–18.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/selby-conquers-crucible/|title=Selby Conquers the Crucible Again|date=May 2017 |publisher=World Snooker|access-date=2 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502060825/http://www.worldsnooker.com/selby-conquers-crucible/|archive-date=2 May 2017|url-status=live}}

He won the 2017 Indian Open, defeating Anthony McGill 5–1 in the final.{{Cite web |date=16 September 2017 |title=Fine 29 As Higgins Wins Tartan Tussle |url=https://wst.tv/fine-29-higgins-wins-tartan-tussle/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220184959/https://wst.tv/fine-29-higgins-wins-tartan-tussle/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 February 2020 |access-date=15 April 2022 |website=World Snooker |language=en-US}} The following year, he won his thirtieth ranking event at the 2018 Welsh Open, defeating Barry Hawkins 9–7 in the final.{{Cite news |date=4 March 2018 |title=John Higgins claims fifth Welsh Open crown |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2018/0304/944982-john-higgins-claims-fifth-welsh-open-crown/|website=RTÉ.ie |language=en |access-date=15 April 2022 |archive-date=15 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415152443/https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2018/0304/944982-john-higgins-claims-fifth-welsh-open-crown/ |url-status=live }} Higgins also reached the final of the 2018 World Snooker Championship, but lost again to Mark Williams. At the 2019 World Snooker Championship Higgins reached the final again, only to be beaten 18–9 by Judd Trump.{{cite web |title=Trump Tops The World |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/trump-tops-the-world/ |website=worldsnooker.com |publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association |date=6 May 2019 |access-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507022930/http://www.worldsnooker.com/trump-tops-the-world/ |archive-date=7 May 2019 |url-status=live }} This was Higgins' third consecutive World Championship final and his eighth overall.{{cite web |title=Trump v Higgins: Tale of the Tape |website=worldsnooker.com |publisher=World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association |date=5 May 2019 |access-date=28 October 2021|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/trump-v-higgins-tale-of-the-tape/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505181735/http://www.worldsnooker.com/trump-v-higgins-tale-of-the-tape/ |archive-date=5 May 2019 |url-status=live }}

Higgins surpassed Stephen Hendry's career total of 775 centuries during the 2019 Scottish Open. He made his 775th century on 11 December during his match against Alexander Ursenbacher and his 776th against Jack Lisowski the following day.{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/snooker-news-john-higgins-equals-stephen-hendry-record-en-route-to-third-round_sto7572408/story.shtml |title=Snooker news: John Higgins equals Stephen Hendry record en route to third round |publisher=Eurosport |date=11 December 2019 |access-date=9 February 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/50758226 |title=Scottish Open: Ronnie O'Sullivan & Judd Trump into last eight |website=BBC Sport |date=12 December 2019 |access-date=9 February 2021 |archive-date=12 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012112552/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/50758226 |url-status=live }} Higgins made his 800th career century on the first day of the 2020 Champion of Champions, although he lost the match to Ding Junhui.{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/champion-of-champions/2020-2021/champion-of-champions-snooker-neil-robertson-reveals-key-concern-after-victory-over-ding-junhui_sto7977526/story.shtml |title=Champion of Champions snooker: Neil Robertson reveals key concern after victory over Ding Junhui |publisher=Eurosport |date=3 November 2020 |access-date=14 December 2020}}

In the 2020–21 season, Higgins reached his first Masters final since 2006 after beating Allen, O'Sullivan and David Gilbert.{{Cite web|title=Masters snooker: John Higgins sets up showdown with Yan Bingtao|url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/higgins-to-face-yan-in-masters-final/188379|date=17 January 2021|access-date=18 January 2021|website=www.sportinglife.com|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122030753/https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/higgins-to-face-yan-in-masters-final/188379|url-status=live}} However, he was defeated by tournament debutant Yan Bingtao 8–10 in the final.{{Cite news|agency=PA Media|date=18 January 2021|title=Yan Bingtao wins Masters snooker title on debut as comeback stuns Higgins|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jan/18/yan-bingtao-recovers-beat-john-higgins-win-masters-snooker-crown|access-date=18 January 2021|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118074150/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jan/18/yan-bingtao-recovers-beat-john-higgins-win-masters-snooker-crown|url-status=live}} On 28 February 2021, Higgins defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final of the Players Championship to claim his 31st ranking title and his first ranking title in three years. After his win, Higgins said that was "the best week of [his] snooker career" in terms of the way he played.{{Cite web|date=28 February 2021|title=Wonderful Higgins Thrashes O'Sullivan|url=https://wst.tv/wonderful-higgins-thrashes-osullivan/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301003230/https://wst.tv/wonderful-higgins-thrashes-osullivan/|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 March 2021|access-date=4 March 2021|website=World Snooker|language=en-US}} In his quarter-final against Mark Selby, Higgins outscored his opponent 546–7 in a 6–0 victory. After the match, Selby stated that, "I've never had a match where I had so few chances. John froze me out from start to finish, he played an incredible match.”{{Cite web|date=26 February 2021|title=Higgins Hands Selby Record Defeat|url=https://wst.tv/higgins-hands-selby-record-defeat/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226212235/https://wst.tv/higgins-hands-selby-record-defeat/|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 February 2021|access-date=4 March 2021|website=World Snooker|language=en-US}}

Before the beginning of the 2021–22 snooker season, Higgins lost a significant amount of weight by taking spin classes. He weighed {{frac|15|1|2}} stones (217 lbs or 98.5 kg) during the 2021 World Championship, but began the new season at 12 stones (168 lbs or 76 kg).{{Cite web|date=8 October 2021|title='I just seem to be a little bit addicted to them' - John Higgins reveals big weight loss after starting spin classes|url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/northern-ireland-open/2021-2022/i-just-seem-to-be-a-little-bit-addicted-to-them-john-higgins-reveals-big-weight-loss-after-starting-_sto8574836/story.shtml|access-date=18 October 2021|website=Eurosport UK|language=en}} At the 2021 Northern Ireland Open, he won six consecutive frames to defeat Yan Bingtao 6–2 in the semi-finals, but lost the final 8–9 to Mark Allen, despite having led 8–6.{{Cite news|title=Allen beats Higgins in NI Open final|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/58945622|access-date=18 October 2021|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018091141/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/58945622|url-status=live}} At the 2021 English Open, Higgins came from 3–5 behind in the semi-finals to defeat O'Sullivan 6–5,{{Cite news|title=Higgins edges O'Sullivan at English Open|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/59191958|access-date=8 November 2021|archive-date=8 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108095110/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/59191958|url-status=live}} but he lost the final 8–9 to Neil Robertson, despite again having led 8–6. This defeat meant that Higgins had lost six of his previous seven major finals.{{Cite web|date=8 November 2021|title=Robertson Downs Higgins In Classic Clash|url=https://wst.tv/robertson-downs-higgins-in-classic-clash/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108002117/https://wst.tv/robertson-downs-higgins-in-classic-clash/|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 November 2021|access-date=8 November 2021|website=World Snooker|language=en-US}} In his post-match comments, he expressed doubt about his ability to compete in ranking finals, stating: "The last two finals I really do think show I've not really got it at this level."{{Cite news|title=Neil Robertson beats John Higgins 9-8 in English Open final|date=7 November 2021|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/59195110|access-date=8 November 2021|archive-date=8 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108003445/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/59195110|url-status=live}} Higgins went on to lose the 2021 Champion of Champions final 4–10 to Trump,{{Cite web |date=21 November 2021 |title=Trump Crowned Champion Of Champions |url=https://wst.tv/trump-crowned-champion-of-champions/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121212109/https://wst.tv/trump-crowned-champion-of-champions/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 November 2021 |access-date=15 April 2022 |website=World Snooker |language=en-US}} and the 2021 Scottish Open final 5–9 to Luca Brecel.{{Cite web |date=12 December 2021 |title=Brilliant Brecel Claims Second Ranking Crown |url=https://wst.tv/brilliant-brecel-claims-second-ranking-crown/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212221337/https://wst.tv/brilliant-brecel-claims-second-ranking-crown/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 December 2021 |access-date=15 April 2022 |website=World Snooker |language=en-US}} Even though he lost in the round of 32 at the Gibraltar Open, he won the BetVictor Series bonus of £150,000 by winning the most prize money across the series as a whole.{{Cite web |date=26 March 2022 |title=BetVictor £150,000 Bonus Goes To Higgins |url=https://wst.tv/betvictor-150000-bonus-goes-to-higgins/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326183522/https://wst.tv/betvictor-150000-bonus-goes-to-higgins/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 March 2022 |access-date=15 April 2022 |website=World Snooker |language=en-US}} At the 2022 Tour Championship, he came from 4–8 behind to defeat Zhao Xintong 10–9 in the quarter-finals, a victory he called one of his "best ever wins",{{Cite news |title='Best ever' Higgins win beats Zhao |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/60908822 |access-date=15 April 2022 |archive-date=29 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329115017/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/60908822 |url-status=live }} and went on to face Robertson in the final. Higgins established a 9–4 lead, but lost his fifth major final of the season after Robertson won six consecutive frames to win 10–9.{{Cite web |date=4 April 2022 |title=Robertson Recovery Stuns Higgins |url=https://wst.tv/epic-robertson-fightback-stuns-higgins/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403233130/https://wst.tv/epic-robertson-fightback-stuns-higgins/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 April 2022 |access-date=15 April 2022 |website=World Snooker |language=en-US}} Afterwards, Higgins admitted that losing the final from a position of being five frames up with six to play would leave "real mental scars".{{Cite web |date=4 April 2022 |title='Real mental scars' - John Higgins rues letting 9-4 lead slip against Neil Robertson in Tour Championship final |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/tour-championship/2022/real-mental-scars-john-higgins-rues-letting-9-4-lead-slip-against-neil-robertson-in-tour-championshi_sto8872107/story.shtml |access-date=15 April 2022 |website=Eurosport |language=en}} At the 2022 World Championship, Higgins won his quarter-final match against Jack Lisowski on a deciding frame,{{Cite news |title=Veterans Higgins, O'Sullivan and Williams make Crucible semis |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/veterans-higgins-o-sullivan-and-williams-make-crucible-semis-1.4864191 |access-date=6 May 2022 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428073809/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/veterans-higgins-o-sullivan-and-williams-make-crucible-semis-1.4864191 |url-status=live }} but lost 11–17 in the semi-finals to eventual champion O'Sullivan,{{Cite news |title=O'Sullivan books final spot against Trump |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/61279853 |access-date=6 May 2022 |archive-date=4 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504004113/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/61279853 |url-status=live }} finishing the season ranked fifth in the world.{{Cite web |title=Rankings – O'Sullivan At The Summit |url=https://wst.tv/rankings-osullivan-at-the-summit/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503143248/https://wst.tv/rankings-osullivan-at-the-summit/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 May 2022 |access-date=6 May 2022 |website=World Snooker|date=3 May 2022 }}

Higgins reached the quarter-final of the 2024 World Championship with a 13{{nbnd}}12 win over Allen in the last 16.{{cite web |title=World Snooker results: John Higgins beats Mark Allen 13-12 to reach quarter-finals at the Crucible |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/world-snooker-results-john-higgins-beats-mark-allen-13-12-to-reach-quarter-finals-at-the-crucible/217609 |website=Sporting Life |access-date=1 March 2025}} He then played Kyren Wilson but fell to an 8{{nbnd}}13 defeat.{{cite web |last1=Casey |first1=Jeremy|date=2 May 2024 |title=Kyren Wilson sets up Gilbert semi clash as he sees off Higgins in World Championships |url=https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/sport/other-sport/kyren-wilson-sets-up-gilbert-semi-clash-as-he-sees-off-higgins-in-world-championships-4613496 |website=Northamptonshire Telegraph |access-date=1 March 2025}} In September 2024, Higgins made his 1000th career century at the English Open to become just the second player after O'Sullivan to achieve this feat.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-09-19 |title=Higgins Fires In Landmark 1000th Century |url=https://www.wst.tv/news/2024/september/19/higgins-fires-in-landmark-1000th-century/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=World Snooker Tour |language=en}}

Higgins was runner-up at the 2024 British Open, losing to Mark Selby 5–10 in the final. Despite defeat, Higgins returned into the top 16 of the world rankings, having dropped out the previous week for the first time since 1995.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/articles/c748111p429o|title=Selby beats Higgins to win first British Open title|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=1 October 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/british-open/2023-2024/mark-selby-british-open-final-john-higgins_sto20041270/story.shtml|title=British Open 2024: Mark Selby beats John Higgins to claim first ranking title win since March 2023 with return to form|publisher=Eurosport|first=James|last= Walker-Roberts|date=29 September 2024|access-date=1 October 2024}} At the 2025 Masters, Higgins held a 5{{nbnd}}1 lead over Neil Robertson in their first round match but Robertson then won five consecutive frames to win 5{{nbnd}}6.{{cite web |last1=Sutcliffe |first1=Steve|date=12 January 2025 |title=Robertson fights back to stun Higgins at Masters |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/articles/c5ye957yx26o |website=BBC Sport |access-date=1 March 2025}} At the World Open, Higgins won his thirty second ranking event with a 10{{nbnd}}6 win over Joe O'Connor in the final. It was Higgins first title for four years, and at forty nine years of age Higgins also became the oldest player to win a ranking title since Ray Reardon in 1982.{{cite web |title=Higgins wins World Open for first title in four years |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/articles/c62kzn7ddpyo |website=BBC Sport|date=1 March 2025 |access-date=2 March 2025}}{{cite web |title=Age but a number as John Higgins claims World Open title |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2025/0301/1499660-age-but-a-number-as-higgins-claims-world-open-title/ |website=RTE|date=1 March 2025 |access-date=2 March 2025}} Higgins won his second title of the 2024{{nbnd}}25 season at the Tour Champiosnhip. He fought back from 5{{nbnd}}8 down to win five consecutive frames and defeat Mark Selby 10{{nbnd}}8.{{cite web |last1=Sutcliffe |first1=Steve |title=Vintage Higgins beats Selby in Tour Championship final |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/articles/cp8jkr20re8o |website=BBC Sport |access-date=7 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407060352/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/articles/cp8jkr20re8o |archive-date=7 April 2025 |date=7 April 2025}} Higgins reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 World Championship where he faced Mark Williams. Higgins fought back from 8{{nbnd}}12 behind to force a deciding frame, but a miss on the final blue proved pivotal, and Higgins exited the tournament 12{{nbnd}}13.{{cite web |last1=Sutcliffe |first1=Steve |title=Williams beats Higgins in final-frame thriller |date=30 April 2025|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/articles/cyvqlg02157o |website=BBC Sport |access-date=1 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430174927/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/articles/cyvqlg02157o |archive-date=30 April 2025}}

In 2000, 25-year-old Higgins married his childhood sweetheart, 24-year-old Denise (née Whitton).{{Cite web |first=John |last=Ferguson |title=Life and times of Wishaw Wizard |newspaper=Daily Record |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Life+and+times+of+Wishaw+Wizard.-a0225374097 |date=3 May 2010 |access-date=2025-04-07 |via=www.thefreelibrary.com}}{{Cite web |date=2000-12-23 |title=Dornoch diary: locals agree experience was as good as the Mod of '89 |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12158293.dornoch-diary-locals-agree-experience-was-as-good-as-the-mod-of-89/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=The Herald |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Fennelly |first=Amanda |date=14 June 2007 |title=Snooker: Higgins gets his revenge |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/snooker/2000/1204/152919-snooker/ |access-date=7 April 2025 |website=RTE Sport}} They have three children together, two sons and a daughter.{{Cite web |date=2016-12-03 |title=Interview: John Higgins on why life's too short to hold grudges |url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/interview-john-higgins-on-why-lifes-too-short-to-hold-grudges-1461067 |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=The Scotsman |language=en}} Higgins is a supporter of Celtic F.C.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/43943360 |title=Double joy for Celtic fan John Higgins as Rangers and Jack Lisowski are thrashed |work=BBC Sport |date=29 April 2018 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025120318/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/43943360 |archive-date=25 October 2018 |url-status=live}} and also follows English club Everton.{{cite news |url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2011/06/11/-everton-are-my-english-team- |title=Everton are my English team |author=Charlie Henderson |publisher=Everton F.C. |date=11 June 2011 |access-date=2 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614134517/http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2011/06/11/-everton-are-my-english-team- |archive-date=14 June 2011 |url-status=dead}} He enjoys playing poker.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jan/11/smalltalk.sportinterviews |title=Small Talk: 888.com world snooker champion John Higgins answers the hard questions |work=The Guardian |date=11 January 2008 |access-date=26 January 2009 |location=London |first=John |last=Ashdown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301170130/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jan/11/smalltalk.sportinterviews |archive-date=1 March 2014 |url-status=live}} In 2006, Higgins was escorted off a plane for being drunk after losing the Malta Cup final to Ken Doherty, but he became teetotal in preparation for the 2007 World Championship which he went on to win.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/may/08/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship2007 |title=Higgins rallies to take title after Selby comeback |first=Paul |last=Weaver |date=8 May 2007 |work=The Guardian |access-date=8 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801161914/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/may/08/snooker.worldsnookerchampionship2007 |archive-date=1 August 2016 |url-status=live}} Higgins was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 New Year Honours.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7163385.stm |title=Snooker star Higgins gets honour |work=BBC Sport |date=29 December 2007 |access-date=26 January 2009 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101114958/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7163385.stm |archive-date=1 January 2008 |url-status=live}}

In January 2010, Higgins appeared on the BBC's Celebrity Mastermind, answering questions on his specialist subject Dallas. He finished third equal.{{cite news |last=Pringle |first=Michael |date=20 January 2010 |title=John Higgins appears on Celebrity Mastermind |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/john-higgins-appears-celebrity-mastermind-2598445 |work=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |access-date=13 December 2019 |archive-date=13 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213120713/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/john-higgins-appears-celebrity-mastermind-2598445 |url-status=live }} In February of that year, Higgins and his wife Denise appeared on ITV's Mr. and Mrs. and reached the final after answering all of their questions correctly to win £30,000. They donated the money to The Dalziel Centre – a day hospice for cancer patients, based at Strathclyde Hospital in Motherwell, of which Higgins became a patron after they cared for his terminally ill father.{{cite web |url=http://www.wishawpress.co.uk/wishaw-news/local-wishaw-news/wishaw-news/2010/10/13/wishaw-wizard-john-higgins-hands-over-30-000-to-hospice-76495-27455260/ |title=Wishaw Wizard John Higgins hands over £30,000 to hospice |publisher=Wishaw Press |date=13 October 2010 |access-date=5 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727024008/http://www.wishawpress.co.uk/wishaw-news/local-wishaw-news/wishaw-news/2010/10/13/wishaw-wizard-john-higgins-hands-over-30-000-to-hospice-76495-27455260/ |archive-date=27 July 2011}}

In a complex mathematical study conducted at the University of Limerick, Higgins was named the highest performing snooker player from 1968 to 2020, ahead of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams and Stephen Hendry.{{Cite web|date=15 March 2021|title=Maths Study Names Higgins The Best|url=https://wst.tv/maths-study-names-higgins-the-best/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315113938/https://wst.tv/maths-study-names-higgins-the-best/|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 March 2021|access-date=21 March 2021|website=World Snooker|language=en-US}}{{Cite journal|last=O’Brien|first=Joseph D|date=7 March 2021|title=A complex networks approach to ranking professional Snooker players|journal=Journal of Complex Networks|volume=8|issue=cnab003|doi=10.1093/comnet/cnab003|issn=2051-1329|doi-access=free|arxiv=2010.08395}}

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{{World snooker champions}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Higgins, John}}

Category:1975 births

Category:Sportspeople from Wishaw

Category:Living people

Category:Scottish snooker players

Category:Masters (snooker) champions

Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire

Category:UK champions (snooker)

Category:World number one snooker players

Category:Winners of the professional snooker world championship