Ronnie O'Sullivan has named John Higgins as the "best all-round player" in snooker history ahead of the 2025 World Snooker Championship.
The seven-time world champion was unequivocal in his assessment when speaking to TNT Sports.
O'Sullivan, who is aiming for a record eighth world title this year, refused to name himself despite being widely regarded as one of the most talented players in the sport's history.
Instead, the 49-year-old opted for his fellow snooker great Higgins, who has four world titles to his name.
Ronnie O'Sullivan picked John Higgins ahead of himself when asked to name snooker's best all-round player
TNT Sports
The pair have a storied history, with O'Sullivan defeating Higgins in the 2001 World Championship final.
O'Sullivan was effusive in his praise for the 49-year-old Scot's all-round abilities.
"John was probably the best all-round player that's ever played the game, yeah, without a doubt," O'Sullivan told TNT Sports.
"Technically unbelievable, break-building fantastic, safety... probably been no one better, bottle - tonnes of it."
The Rocket's admiration for Higgins comes as the latter enters the tournament with renewed confidence.
Higgins recently demonstrated his enduring class by coming from behind to defeat Mark Selby in the Tour Championship final earlier this month.
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The Wizard of Wishaw's technical mastery and temperament have long been hallmarks of his illustrious career.
Despite his admiration, O'Sullivan did offer one critique of Higgins' approach to the game.
"My only thing, if you're going to criticise someone, I just think he wasn't aggressive enough. I think he would've won a lot more if he had just been more aggressive," said O'Sullivan.
He elaborated on Higgins' cautious mindset: "I think his mindset is, 'I just want to shut up shop', and he can keep you out for hours and hours."
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John Higgins has had an incredible career in snooker
PA
O'Sullivan suggested Higgins could have benefited from a different perspective.
"If I was in John's corner I'd say, 'push the boat out a little bit, put more fear into your opponent'," he added.
O'Sullivan and Higgins will both be in action as the 2025 World Snooker Championship gets underway.
The Rocket faces a tough first-round test against Ali Carter as he pursues that record-breaking eighth world title.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan has won the World Snooker Championship on seven separate occasions over the yearsPAHiggins, meanwhile, will play Joe O'Connor in his opening match at the Crucible.
O'Sullivan has been an ever-present at the tournament since turning professional in 1992.
He recently confirmed his participation in this year's championship through an official statement.
Both snooker legends will be looking to add another world title to their impressive collections when the action begins on Saturday.
