Back when a 14-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke about his snooker idol decades ago, he remarked "he invents shots … not many players possess that ability".
This early statement revealed O'Sullivan's unique approach. His ambition isn't limited to winning matches to include setting new standards in the sport.
Today, 35 years later, he has surpassed the achievements of his heroes and during the ongoing tournament, where he holds records for both the most veteran and youngest champion, O'Sullivan celebrates reaching fifty.
At the elite level, for a single 50-year-old competitor would be remarkable, yet his half-century signifies that multiple top-ranked world players are now in their sixth decade.
The Welsh Potting Machine together with the Wizard of Wishaw, similar to The Rocket became professionals in 1992, also celebrated reaching fifty this year.
However, this remarkable longevity isn't automatic in snooker. Stephen Hendry, who shares the distinction with O'Sullivan of seven world titles, claimed his final ranking event at 36, whereas Steve Davis' triumph in 1997, aged 39, was considered a major surprise.
This legendary trio, though, stubbornly refuse declining. Here we explore how three veterans stay at the top in world snooker.
The Mind
For Steve Davis, now 68, the key difference across eras lies in mentality.
"I typically faulted my technique when losing, rather than adjusting mentally," he explained. "It seemed like inevitable progression.
"These three champions have demonstrated that's not true. Everything is psychological… careers can extend beyond predictions."
The Rocket's approach has been influenced through working with Professor Steve Peters, with whom he's collaborated since 2011. During a recent film, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan asks him: "How long can I play, 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. To maintain success, and continue performing, disregard your age."
Such advice O'Sullivan has followed, mentioning recently that turning 50 "alright," noting: "I avoid to overburden myself … I enjoy where I am."
Physical Condition
Snooker may not be physically demanding, winning depends on bodily attributes that typically favor youthful players.
Ronnie stays fit through running, but it's challenging to avoid aging effects, like worsening eyesight, something Mark knows intimately.
"I find it funny. I need spectacles for everything: reading, mid-range, far shots," Mark stated recently.
The Welsh player has contemplated vision correction but postponed it repeatedly, latest in autumn, mainly because he keeps succeeding.
Mark could be gaining from neuroplasticity, a mental phenomenon.
A vision specialist, who coaches athletes, noted that provided no eye disease like cataracts exists, the mind adapts to weaker eyesight.
"All people, after thirty-five, or early forties, experience reduced lens flexibility," she said.
"However our brains adapt to difficulties throughout life, including senior years.
"Yet, should eyesight isn't the issue, other physical aspects may fail."
"In time in games requiring accuracy, your body fails your intentions," Steve noted.
"Your cue action fails to execute as required. The first symptom I noticed was that although I aimed straight, the speed was off.
"Delivery weight is the critical factor with no easy fix. It's inevitable."
O'Sullivan's mental work paired with careful body management often stressing the role of diet for his success.
"He avoids alcohol, consumes nutritious food," commented a former champion. "You wouldn't guess thirty years younger!"
Mark similarly realized dietary advantages recently, disclosing in 2024 he added pre-game nutrition, reportedly sustains energy through extended matches.
Although John Higgins lost significant weight in 2021, crediting regular exercise, he currently says the weight returned though intending setting up equipment for renewed motivation.
Driving Force
"The toughest aspect with age is training. That love for the game must persist," added another expert.
Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan face similar from these difficulties. Higgins, multiple title holder, stated in September he finds it hard "to train consistently".
"But I believe that's normal," Higgins continued. "As you age, priorities shift."
Higgins has contemplated skipping some tournaments but is constrained by the ranking system, where tournament entries rely on results in lesser events.
"It's challenging," he said. "It can harm mental health attempting to attend all these events."
Similarly, Ronnie has reduced his tournament appearances since relocating to Dubai. The UK Championship is his initial domestic competition currently.
But none seem prepared to stop playing. Like in other sports where great competitors such as the tennis icons motivated one another to excel, similarly O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.
"When one wins, it makes others wonder why can't they?" commented an analyst. "I believe they motivate each other."
The Lack of Challengers
After his latest major victory this year, O'Sullivan remarked that younger players "need to improve because I'm declining with poor vision, arm issues and bad knees yet they can't win."
While China's Zhao Xintong won this year's World Championship, few competitors emerged to dominate the season. Exemplified by current outcomes, where 11 different winners have taken the first 11 events.
Yet challenging competing against Ronnie, with exceptional natural talent rarely seen, as recalled since his youth on a 1992 gameshow.
"His technique, was obvious instantly," noted, observing the teen potting balls quickly securing rewards like outdated technology.
O'Sullivan publicly claims that victories "aren't crucial."
Yet, he has suggested previously that losing streaks help maintain motivation.
Almost two years without his last ranking title, yet legends think this birthday could motivate him.
"Who knows this milestone provides the impetus he requires to show his skill," said Davis. "We all recognize his genius, and he loves amazing audiences.
"If he won this tournament, or the worlds, it would stun the crowd… Achieving that a historic feat."
