SCOTS snooker star John Higgins has admitted the belief he can win a famous fifth World Championship is slowly dwindling as the years go by.
But the Wizard of Wishaw, 48, has linked up with a sports psychologist in his bid to finally conjure up another Crucible crown.
Snooker's spiritual Sheffield home is a 17-day marathon of the mind as much as the body.
And even the greatest players ever have wanted the ground to swallow them up at the intimate venue as matches and titles have slipped away from their grasp.
Higgins will make his 30th straight Crucible appearance against tough Welsh qualifier Jamie Jones, who dumped out 2010 champion Neil Robertson in the final round of qualifying.
But the world No.13 admits he's struggling to truly find the motivation.
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Denne historien er fra April 20, 2024-utgaven av Daily Record.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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SAME CITY BUT WORLDS APART
Brendan makes six changes & champs remain a wrecking ball while Phil throws muck at wall in hope of seeing what sticks
RUBEN WANTS MORE FROM 2-GOAL RASH
MANCHESTER UNITED boss Ruben Amorim has told Marcus Rashford he wants even more from him after the back-to-form striker scored twice in the rout of Everton.
Dunblane victim's father calls for return of hotline
THE father of a schoolgirl killed in the Dunblane massacre has called for police to reintroduce a hotline to report erratic behaviour by gun owners.
REIGN IS FORECAST
Relentless Reds put themselves in brilliant position to snatch City crown
LIKE QAT OUT OF HELL FOR LEWIS
Pointless Hamilton can't wait to finish at Merc
MY QUARRY HELL
Safe haven wrecked by diggers, says stable owner
WHEEL OF FORTUNE
Chris finishes cycle across Cambodia
We're 99% sure he murdered her
THE family of Suzy Lamplugh suspect John Cannan say they are 99 per cent certain the rapist was responsible for her murder.
30K OYSTERS BOOST
Restoration project wins nature prize
Life's too short not to have fun
HELEN SKELTON TV presenter on being in her fab 40s and taking on fitness tests
