🔗 Share this article

When a teenage Ronnie O'Sullivan was questioned about his snooker idol in 1990, his response was "he invents shots … not many players can do that".

That youthful insight highlighted O'Sullivan's distinct philosophy. His drive extends beyond winning matches encompassing redefining excellence within snooker.

Now, after three decades, he exceeded the accomplishments of his heroes and during this week's UK Championship, where he holds the distinction of being the oldest and youngest winner, O'Sullivan will mark reaching fifty.

In professional sports, for a single 50-year-old competitor would be remarkable, yet his half-century signifies that multiple top-ranked global competitors have entered their sixth decade.

Mark Williams and John Higgins, who like O'Sullivan became professionals in 1992, also celebrated their 50th birthdays this year.

Yet, such extended careers isn't automatic in snooker. The seven-time world champion, who shares the distinction alongside Ronnie of seven world titles, claimed his final professional tournament in his mid-thirties, while Davis' triumph in 1997, aged 39, was considered an unexpected result.

The Class of 92, however, continue to resist fading away. Here we explore how three veterans stay at the top in professional snooker.

Mental Strength

According to the legend, currently in his sixties, the primary distinction between generations is psychological.

"I typically faulted my form for failures, rather than retraining my mind," he stated. "It felt like the natural cycle.

"These three champions have proven that's not true. Everything is psychological… careers can extend than expected."

The Rocket's approach was shaped by psychiatrist Professor Steve Peters, their partnership starting over a decade ago. In his 2023 documentary, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan asks him: "How long can I play, without doubting myself?"

"If you focus on age, you activate self-fulfilling prophecies," Peters responds. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I'll decline!' I discourage that. If you want to win, and keep delivering, then ignore age."

This guidance O'Sullivan has followed, mentioning recently that he feels "acceptable," adding: "I avoid putting excessive pressure … I appreciate where I am."

Physical Condition

Snooker may not be physically demanding, winning depends on physical traits usually benefiting younger competitors.

Ronnie stays fit through running, yet difficult to avoid aging effects, such as vision decline, something Mark knows intimately.

"It amuses me. I require glasses constantly: reading, mid-range, far shots," Williams shared this season.

The Welsh player has contemplated vision correction delaying it repeatedly, latest in autumn, primarily since he continues winning.

Mark could be gaining from brain adaptation, a psychological concept.

A vision specialist, who coaches athletes, noted that provided no eye disease like cataracts exists, the mind adapts to impaired vision.

"All people, after thirty-five, maybe early 40s, will notice reduced lens flexibility," she explained.

"But our brains adapt to difficulties throughout life, even into old age.

"Yet, should eyesight isn't the issue, bodily factors may fail."

"In time in games requiring accuracy, your body fails your intentions," Steve noted.

"Your arm fails to execute properly. The initial sign I noticed was that while alignment was good, the speed was off.

"Delivery weight becomes problematic with no easy fix. It's inevitable."

Ronnie's psychological training paired with careful body management often stressing nutritional importance in his achievements.

"He avoids alcohol, consumes nutritious food," said an ex-winner. "He appears thirty years younger!"

Williams also discovered nutritional benefits lately, disclosing in 2024 he added a pre-match meal, reportedly maintains stamina through extended matches.

Although John Higgins shed over three stone in 2021, crediting spin classes, he now admits the weight returned though intending home gym installation for renewed motivation.

The Motivation

"The greatest challenge as you older is practice. That passion for snooker must persist," remarked a commentator.

The veteran trio face similar challenges. Higgins, a four-time world champion, stated in September he finds it hard "to practice regularly".

"However, I think that's normal," Higgins continued. "Getting older, priorities shift."

Higgins has contemplated reducing his schedule yet limited due to points requirements, where tournament entries depends on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's challenging," he explained. "Negatively affect mental health attempting to attend every tournament."

Similarly, Ronnie has reduced his tournament appearances since relocating abroad. The UK Championship marks his first home tournament currently.

Yet all three appear ready to retire yet. Like in other sports where great competitors such as the tennis icons pushed each other to greater heights, so too have O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"If one succeeds, it raises the question why can't they?" said a pundit. "I think they motivate one another."

The Lack of Challengers

After his latest Triple Crown win this year, O'Sullivan remarked that new generation "must step up because I'm declining with poor vision, arm issues and knee problems and they still lose."

While China's Zhao Xintong won this year's world title, rarely have players emerged to dominate the season. This is evident current outcomes, where 11 different winners have taken initial tournaments.

Yet challenging competing against Ronnie, who possesses innate ability rarely seen, remembered from his teenage appearance on television.

"His technique, you could immediately see," he said, observing the teen rapidly clearing the table to win prizes like outdated technology.

O'Sullivan publicly claims that victories "aren't crucial."

Yet, he implied in the past that droughts help maintain motivation.

It's been nearly two years since his last ranking title, yet legends think turning fifty could motivate him.

"Who knows this milestone provides the impetus Ronnie needs to demonstrate his skill," said Davis. "We all recognize his talent, but Ronnie enjoys amazing audiences.

"If he won the UK Championship, or the World Championship, it would amaze the crowd… That would be a historic feat."