John Higgins enters the new snooker season in a positive frame of mind, something he admits hasn’t always been the case recently. A slump in form early last season resulted in Higgins doubting his ability to compete at the top end of the game.

His season ended with another World Championship final appearance, as he lost out to a brilliant performance from Judd Trump at the Crucible. It was the third world final on the spin that Higgins has lost, and while he admits it can get tougher to bounce back with age, the 44-year-old knows that elite snooker players aren’t subject to the same worries as some of their sporting contemporaries.

“It does get a little bit harder as you get older, but it is just one of those things. I am a snooker player and that is all I’ve ever known. When you retire that is it for the rest of your life,” said Higgins.

“You need to enjoy it while you still can and while your eyesight is still alright. Snooker doesn’t really have any age barriers. That is one of the great things about it. Especially if you compare it to things like football and tennis where you are finished by your late 30s.

“I’ve never got too high when winning events and I’ve also never really got too low when I’ve lost.

“That was slightly different over the last couple of years, but I’ve generally kept things at a happy medium and that has stood me in good stead.”

Higgins is involved in the SixRed World Championship which starts in Bangkok on Monday. He is 1.18 to defeat home favourite James Wattana in his opening game, with the Thai player 4.50 for the win.