🔗 Share this article

When a teenage Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke regarding his snooker idol in 1990, his response was "he creates new techniques … few competitors can do that".

That youthful insight revealed O'Sullivan's distinct philosophy. His ambition extends beyond mere victory to include redefining excellence within snooker.

Now, after three decades, he has surpassed the accomplishments of those he admired while competing in the ongoing tournament, a competition where he maintains the distinction of being the most veteran and youngest champion, O'Sullivan will mark reaching fifty.

At the elite level, having just one 50-year-old competitor would be remarkable, but O'Sullivan's milestone signifies that three of the top six global competitors are now in their fifties.

Mark Williams together with the Wizard of Wishaw, who like O'Sullivan turned pro over thirty years ago, similarly marked their 50th birthdays recently.

However, this remarkable longevity isn't automatic in snooker. Stephen Hendry, who shares the record alongside Ronnie of seven world titles, claimed his final ranking event in his mid-thirties, whereas Steve Davis' triumph in 1997, nearing forty, came as a major surprise.

This legendary trio, however, stubbornly refuse declining. Here we explore how three veterans remain competitive in world snooker.

The Mind

According to the legend, currently in his sixties, the key difference across eras is psychological.

"I always blamed my technique when losing, instead of adjusting mentally," he explained. "It felt like the natural cycle.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have demonstrated that's not true. Everything is psychological… careers can extend than expected."

O'Sullivan's mindset has been influenced by psychiatrist Professor Steve Peters, with whom he's collaborated over a decade ago. During a recent film, his documentary, O'Sullivan asks him: "What's my potential age, to avoid uncertainty?"

"If you focus on age, you trigger self-fulfilling prophecies," Peters responds. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I'll decline!' I discourage that. If you want to win, and continue performing, disregard your age."

This guidance O'Sullivan has followed, telling reporters that turning 50 "acceptable," noting: "I avoid putting excessive pressure … I appreciate this life stage."

Physical Condition

While not physically demanding, success still relies on bodily attributes that typically favor youthful players.

Ronnie stays fit through running, yet difficult to prevent aging effects, like worsening eyesight, something Mark knows very well.

"It amuses me. I need spectacles constantly: reading, medium distance, far shots," Mark stated recently.

The Welsh player has contemplated lens replacement surgery but postponed it repeatedly, most recently in November, mainly because 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 weaker eyesight.

"Everyone, by your mid-30s, maybe early 40s, will notice reduced lens flexibility," she explained.

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

"But, should eyesight isn't the issue, other physical aspects may fail."

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

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

"Shot strength becomes problematic and there's no solution. That will occur."

O'Sullivan's mental work coincided with meticulous physical care often stressing nutritional importance in his achievements.

"He doesn't drink, eats healthily," said a former champion. "You wouldn't guess thirty years younger!"

Williams also discovered dietary advantages lately, disclosing in 2024 he added a pre-match meal, reportedly sustains energy through extended matches.

Although John Higgins lost significant weight recently, crediting regular exercise, he now admits he regained it but plans home gym installation to reinvigorate himself.

Driving Force

"The toughest aspect with age is training. That passion for the game must persist," remarked a commentator.

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan face similar from these difficulties. Higgins, multiple title holder, stated in September he finds it hard "to practice regularly".

"However, I think that's normal," John added. "Getting older, priorities shift."

Higgins has contemplated skipping some tournaments yet limited by the ranking system, where major event qualification depends on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's challenging," he explained. "Negatively affect psychological well-being trying to play every tournament."

O'Sullivan, too cut back his European schedule after moving abroad. The UK Championship is his initial domestic competition this season.

Yet all three appear ready to stop playing. Similar to tennis where legendary rivals like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic pushed each other to greater heights, similarly O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"When one wins, it makes others wonder why can't they?" said a pundit. "I think they've inspired one another."

The Lack of Challengers

After his latest major victory this year, O'Sullivan observed that new generation "need to improve despite my age failing eyesight, a unreliable arm and knee problems and they still lose."

While China's Zhao Xintong won this year's world title, few competitors emerged to dominate the tour. This is evident current outcomes, where 11 different winners claimed initial tournaments.

But it's difficult when facing O'Sullivan, with innate ability rarely seen, as recalled since his youth on a 1992 gameshow.

"His stance, you could immediately see," he said, observing the teen rapidly clearing the table to win prizes including a fax machine.

Ronnie often states that victories "isn't everything."

Yet, he has suggested in the past that losing streaks help maintain motivation.

It's been nearly two years without a tournament win, yet legends think turning fifty might inspire O'Sullivan.

"Perhaps this milestone provides the impetus Ronnie needs to demonstrate his skill," said Davis. "Everyone knows his talent, and he loves astonishing people.

"If he won the UK Championship, or the worlds, it would stun everyone… That would be an incredible accomplishment."