John Higgins completely disagrees with the assertion of fellow great Mark Williams that the standards in snooker has declined in recent times.
Higgins and Williams share seven world titles between them - but more remarkably both still reside in the top six of the world rankings three decades after graduating as professionals. The legendary duo and world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan make up snooker's fabled 'Class of 92' triumvirate, but all share vastly different views on the current outlook of the sport.
At present, 'Belgian Bullet' Luca Brecel and Chinese duo Zhao Xintong and Yan Bingtao are the only players inside the coveted top 16 under the age of 30. The lack of fresh emerging talent has fuelled debate over the quality of snooker now compared to when Higgins, Williams and O'Sullivan all first broke onto the scene in the 1990's.
And Welshman Williams is firmly of the belief that the standards have slipped in recent years, owing to a weaker group of elite players.
"I don’t buy into or believe the standard at the top is better now than 15-20 years ago," Williams tweeted recently. "Me, (Stephen) Hendry, Higgins and Ronnie, think top four are better today?"
But Higgins, targeting his fourth UK Championship title at the Barbican in York, is baffled by Williams' comments and believes the incredible level set by the top players is making it more difficult for young prospects to penetrate into the game's elite.
"I just really don’t know where Mark’s coming from with that statement," Higgins told Metro.co.uk. "Mark’s just equalled Stephen Hendry’s century record at the Crucible. He’s playing incredible stuff still.
"I think the standard the top boys are playing at now is incredible. Judd (Trump), Robertson, Selby, the performances they’re putting in, I think it blows away when I was in the top four 15-20 years ago. That’s my personal opinion."
Higgins' greatest rival O'Sullivan is the world no.1 and is still the man to beat as he approaches his 47th birthday. And the Scot claims the Rocket's 'awe' factor is what makes him such an indomitable presence at the top of the sport.
"I think you can only stand back and admire Ronnie who’s still winning events against these guys," Higgins added. "I’m playing great, Mark Williams is playing great and we’re nicking the odd tournament here and there.
"Ronnie’s standing up to Neil, Mark and Judd and in a way still dominating them and I think you can see, you can look at them, they’ve got good wins against Ronnie, but they look at Ronnie in awe. Which probably 99 per cent of the tour do. That gives him that little edge at the top level."
