John Higgins Claps Back at Stephen Hendry’s Brutal Critique: ‘He’s a Cracker’
John Higgins didn’t take too kindly to snooker legend Stephen Hendry’s sharp critique of his performance at the Players Championship. Despite coming into the tournament on a high after winning his first ranking title in four years at the World Open, Higgins struggled in his semi-final clash against Judd Trump in Telford.
The 49-year-old Scotsman found himself trailing 3-1 at the mid-session interval, prompting a blunt analysis from Hendry, a seven-time world champion. Speaking on ITV, Hendry was unsparing in his assessment.
“All I can do is say what I see,” Hendry remarked. “I never thought I’d say this, but John Higgins is a tough watch at the moment. Whether he’s low on confidence or just not playing well, taking 32 seconds per shot isn’t good. It’s almost like he’s getting in his own way. When Judd gets in, everything flows. With John, every shot feels like a struggle, even the easy ones. That tells me he’s not in a good place confidence-wise. This is not the John Higgins we know.”
Higgins, however, mounted a strong comeback, leveling the match at 4-4 before Trump ultimately secured a 6-4 victory. Frustrated with both the loss and Hendry’s critique, Higgins didn’t hold back in his response.
“I’ve heard people like Hendry saying I need to speed up,” Higgins said. “He’s a cracker, so he is. When you get older, you naturally become more cautious. You’re working on things, adjusting. But at nearly 50, I’m still competing with the best. I bet he wishes he could say the same. Just don’t be too negative—focus on the good things, and good things will happen.”
Hendry, who retired in 2012 at 43, attempted a comeback in 2020 but struggled to make an impact before stepping away again in 2024. While his legendary status remains intact, his words clearly struck a nerve with Higgins, who continues to battle with the game’s elite despite his advancing years.
