🔗 Share this article

Back when a 14-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke about his snooker idol in 1990, he remarked "he creates new techniques … few competitors possess that ability".

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

Today, after three decades, he exceeded the accomplishments of those he admired while competing in this week's UK Championship, a competition where he maintains the distinction of being the oldest and youngest winner, O'Sullivan celebrates his 50th birthday.

At the elite level, having just one 50-year-old competitor would be remarkable, but O'Sullivan's milestone means that multiple top-ranked global competitors have entered their fifties.

Mark Williams together with the Wizard of Wishaw, similar to The Rocket became professionals over thirty years ago, similarly marked reaching fifty recently.

Yet, this remarkable longevity are not guaranteed in this sport. Stephen Hendry, holding the record with O'Sullivan for most world championships, won his last professional tournament at 36, while Davis' triumph in 1997, nearing forty, came as an unexpected result.

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

Mental Strength

For Steve Davis, now 68, the primary distinction across eras lies in mentality.

"I typically faulted my technique for failures, instead of retraining my mind," he stated. "It felt like the natural cycle.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have demonstrated otherwise. It's all mental… careers can extend beyond predictions."

O'Sullivan's mindset was shaped by psychiatrist a mental coach, their partnership starting since 2011. In his 2023 documentary, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan inquires: "What's my potential age, without doubting myself?"

"By fixating on years, you activate self-fulfilling prophecies," Peters responds. "You'll start thinking 'Oh, I'm 46, I can't perform!' I discourage that. If you want to win, and continue performing, disregard your age."

This guidance Ronnie adopted, telling reporters that turning 50 "acceptable," noting: "I avoid to overburden myself … I appreciate this life stage."

Physical Condition

While not physically demanding, winning depends on bodily attributes usually benefiting younger competitors.

Ronnie stays fit by jogging, but it's challenging to avoid aging effects, like worsening eyesight, something Mark knows very well.

"It amuses me. I need spectacles constantly: reading, medium distance, far shots," Williams shared this season.

The Welsh player considered vision correction delaying it multiple times, latest in autumn, mainly because he keeps succeeding.

Mark could be gaining from neuroplasticity, a mental phenomenon.

Zoe Wimshurst, who coaches athletes, explained that provided no eye disease such as cataracts, the mind adapts to impaired vision.

"Everyone, by your mid-30s, maybe early 40s, experience the eye lens stiffening," she explained.

"However our brains adapt to difficulties 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 mind," Steve noted.

"Your cue action fails to execute as required. The initial sign I noticed involved while alignment was good, the pace was wrong.

"Shot strength is the critical factor with no easy fix. That will occur."

Ronnie's psychological training paired with meticulous physical care often stressing the role of diet in his achievements.

"He doesn't drink, consumes nutritious food," commented a former champion. "He appears he's 50!"

Mark similarly realized nutritional benefits lately, disclosing in 2024 he added pre-game nutrition, which he claims sustains energy through extended matches.

And while Higgins shed over three stone in 2021, crediting regular exercise, he now admits the weight returned but plans home gym installation to reinvigorate himself.

The Motivation

"The greatest challenge as you older is practice. That passion for snooker needs to continue," added another expert.

The veteran trio face similar from these difficulties. Higgins, multiple title holder, mentioned recently he struggles "to practice regularly".

"But I believe that's normal," Higgins continued. "Getting older, focus changes."

Higgins has contemplated skipping some tournaments yet limited by the ranking system, where tournament entries depends on results in lesser events.

"It's challenging," he explained. "Negatively affect mental health trying to play all these events."

O'Sullivan, too has reduced his tournament appearances since relocating to Dubai. This event marks his first home tournament this season.

Yet all three seem prepared to retire yet. Similar to tennis where legendary rivals such as the tennis icons motivated one another to excel, so too have O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"When one wins, it raises the question why not the others?" said a pundit. "I believe they motivate each other."

The Lack of Challengers

Following his most recent Triple Crown win at the 2024 Masters, O'Sullivan remarked that younger players "must step up because I'm declining failing eyesight, arm issues and knee problems and they still lose."

While China's Zhao Xintong claimed the latest world title, few competitors emerged to dominate the tour. Exemplified by this season's results, where 11 different winners have taken initial tournaments.

Yet challenging competing against Ronnie, with innate ability rarely seen, as recalled from his teenage appearance on television.

"His stance, you could immediately see," he said, observing the teen potting balls quickly securing rewards like outdated technology.

O'Sullivan publicly claims that victories "isn't everything."

Yet, he has suggested previously that droughts fuel his motivation.

Almost two years without a tournament win, yet legends think turning fifty might inspire O'Sullivan.

"Who knows that turning 50 is the spark Ronnie needs to demonstrate his greatness," commented the veteran. "We all recognize his talent, and he loves amazing audiences.

"If he won this tournament, or the worlds, it would stun the crowd… That would be an incredible accomplishment."