John Higgins Rates Stan Moody's Potential After Rising Star Leaves Him 'Feeling Really Old'
Four-time world champion John Higgins has lavished praise on teenage snooker sensation Stan Moody, admitting the youngster made him feel "really old" during their recent encounter. The 19-year-old rising star defeated Higgins 5-4 at the World Open in Yushan last month, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career as Britain's brightest young talent on the baize.
A Historic Match and a Humbling Experience
This professional clash was the first between the two players, and Higgins, aged 50, was thoroughly impressed with world number 44 Moody. In fact, the match coincided with Higgins' 2,000th professional appearance, a testament to his immense career longevity. Reflecting on the encounter, Higgins told Metro that he rates Moody "highly, very highly," particularly praising the teenager's ball-striking ability.
Higgins described a surreal moment during the match, saying, "I went out and Stan was potting them off the lampshades, and I'm thinking to myself, 'I feel old here.' That's one of the first times I really felt really old, playing that match." He added that despite managing to rally, Moody ultimately secured the victory with composure, leaving Higgins to confront his age in a way he hadn't before in his storied career.
Moody's Rapid Ascent and Future Prospects
Stan Moody, who has been on the professional tour for three seasons, has shown notable progress this year, reaching his first two ranking quarter-finals at the Wuhan Open and British Open. Higgins highlighted Moody's improvement, noting that the young player had addressed earlier issues with his cue action and now appears "a lot more fluent." Higgins emphasized, "He hits the ball as well as anyone. Honestly, I was so impressed with him, and I think it's great for him going forward."
Beyond the table, Higgins commended Moody for engaging with fans through social media, filming various content that he believes is "great for young people in the game." Higgins concluded, "He's definitely on the right path, without a doubt."
Moody's Perspective and Upcoming Challenges
For his part, Moody described the win over Higgins, during which he made six half-centuries, as "probably my best win on tour." He expressed amazement at beating the snooker legend in front of a large crowd in China, adding that he has also secured victories over other top players like Kyren Wilson and Ding Junhui. Moody is now focused on finishing the season strongly by qualifying for the Crucible for the first time, with his first qualifying match set against Robbie Williams.
This match not only showcased Moody's growing prowess but also underscored the generational shift in snooker, as veterans like Higgins acknowledge the rising stars shaping the future of the sport.
