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When a teenage Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke regarding Steve Davis in 1990, his response was "he invents shots … not many players can do that".

That youthful insight revealed O'Sullivan's unique approach. His drive isn't limited to winning matches to include setting new standards in the sport.

Now, after three decades, he has surpassed the achievements of his heroes while competing in the ongoing tournament, where he holds records for both the most veteran and youngest champion, O'Sullivan celebrates reaching fifty.

In professional sports, for a single player of that age would be remarkable, yet his half-century means that three of the top six world players are now in their sixth decade.

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

However, this remarkable longevity are not guaranteed in snooker. Stephen Hendry, holding the record alongside Ronnie of seven world titles, claimed his final professional tournament at 36, while Davis' triumph in 1997, nearing forty, came as a major surprise.

The Class of 92, though, continue to resist fading away. This article examines how three veterans stay at the top in professional 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 retraining my mind," he stated. "It felt like inevitable progression.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have demonstrated otherwise. Everything is psychological… you can compete longer beyond predictions."

O'Sullivan's mindset has been influenced by psychiatrist Professor Steve Peters, their partnership starting over a decade ago. In his 2023 documentary, his documentary, O'Sullivan asks him: "What's my potential age, to avoid uncertainty?"

"If you focus on age, you activate self-fulfilling prophecies," he advises. "You'll start thinking 'Oh, I'm 46, I'll decline!' I discourage that. To maintain success, and keep delivering, then ignore age."

This guidance Ronnie adopted, mentioning recently that turning 50 "alright," noting: "I try not putting excessive pressure … I enjoy this life stage."

The Body

While not physically demanding, success still relies on physical traits that typically favor younger competitors.

O'Sullivan maintains fitness by jogging, but it's challenging to prevent other age-related issues, like worsening eyesight, something Mark knows intimately.

"I find it funny. I need spectacles constantly: reading, mid-range, far shots," Williams shared this season.

The two-time world champion has contemplated vision correction delaying it repeatedly, most recently in November, mainly because he continues winning.

Williams might benefit from brain adaptation, a psychological concept.

A vision specialist, who coaches athletes, noted that without conditions such as cataracts, the brain can adjust to weaker eyesight.

"All people, by your mid-30s, maybe early 40s, will notice reduced lens flexibility," she said.

"However our minds adjust to challenges continuously, including senior years.

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

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

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

"Delivery weight becomes problematic with no easy fix. That will occur."

Ronnie's psychological training coincided with meticulous physical care and he frequently emphasizes nutritional importance for his success.

"He doesn't drink, eats healthily," commented a former champion. "He appears thirty years younger!"

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

Although John Higgins lost significant weight recently, crediting spin classes, he now admits he regained it but plans setting up equipment to reinvigorate himself.

Driving Force

"The toughest aspect as you older is practice. That passion for the game needs to continue," added another expert.

The veteran trio aren't exempt from these difficulties. Higgins, multiple title holder, mentioned recently he finds it hard "to train consistently".

"But I believe that's normal," Higgins continued. "As you age, priorities shift."

Higgins has contemplated reducing his schedule but is constrained by the ranking system, where major event qualification rely on results in lesser events.

"It's a balancing act," he said. "It can harm mental health trying to play every tournament."

Similarly, Ronnie cut back his European schedule after moving to Dubai. The UK Championship is his initial home tournament this season.

Yet all three appear ready to retire yet. Like in other sports where legendary rivals such as the tennis icons pushed each other to greater heights, similarly O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"If one succeeds, it makes others wonder why not the others?" commented an analyst. "I think they've inspired each other."

Absence of New Rivals

After his latest Triple Crown win this year, O'Sullivan observed that new generation "need to improve because I'm declining with poor vision, arm issues and knee problems yet they can't win."

While China's Zhao Xintong claimed the latest world title, few competitors risen to control the season. Exemplified by this season's results, with multiple champions claimed the first 11 events.

But it's difficult when facing O'Sullivan, with innate ability rarely seen, remembered since his youth on television.

"His technique, you could immediately see," he said, watching the youngster potting balls quickly securing rewards like outdated technology.

Ronnie often states that victories "aren't crucial."

However, he has suggested in the past that droughts fuel his drive.

Almost two years since his last ranking title, but Davis believes this birthday might inspire him.

"Who knows this milestone provides the impetus he requires to show his greatness," commented the veteran. "We all recognize his talent, and he loves amazing audiences.

"Should he claim this tournament, or the World Championship, it would stun the crowd… That would be a historic feat."