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When a teenage Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke regarding Steve Davis in 1990, he remarked "he invents shots … not many players possess that ability".

This early statement revealed O'Sullivan's unique approach. His ambition extends beyond winning matches encompassing setting new standards within snooker.

Today, after three decades, he has surpassed the accomplishments of his heroes and during the ongoing tournament, where he holds records for both the most veteran and youngest champion, O'Sullivan celebrates his 50th birthday.

In professional sports, for a single player of that age is impressive enough, yet his half-century means that multiple top-ranked world players have entered their fifties.

Mark Williams and John Higgins, who like O'Sullivan became professionals in 1992, similarly marked reaching fifty recently.

Yet, this remarkable longevity are not guaranteed in this sport. The seven-time world champion, who shares the record alongside Ronnie of seven world titles, claimed his final ranking event in his mid-thirties, while Davis' triumph in 1997, nearing forty, was considered an unexpected result.

This legendary trio, however, stubbornly refuse declining. Here we explore how three veterans stay at the top in world snooker.

Mental Strength

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

"I always blamed my technique for failures, rather than retraining my mind," he stated. "It felt like inevitable progression.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have demonstrated that's not true. It's all mental… you can compete longer beyond predictions."

O'Sullivan's mindset was shaped through working with Professor Steve Peters, their partnership starting since 2011. In his 2023 documentary, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan asks him: "How long can I play, to avoid uncertainty?"

"By fixating on years, you trigger negative expectations," he advises. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I'll decline!' I discourage that. To maintain success, and keep delivering, then ignore age."

Such advice Ronnie adopted, mentioning recently that turning 50 "alright," noting: "I avoid putting excessive pressure … I appreciate this life stage."

The Body

Snooker may not be physically demanding, success still relies on bodily attributes that typically favor younger competitors.

Ronnie stays fit by jogging, yet difficult to avoid other age-related issues, like worsening eyesight, something Mark knows intimately.

"I find it funny. I require glasses constantly: reading, mid-range, long distance," Williams shared recently.

The two-time world champion has contemplated vision correction delaying it multiple times, most recently in November, primarily since he keeps succeeding.

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

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

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

"But our minds adjust to difficulties throughout life, even into old age.

"But, even if vision isn't the issue, bodily factors could decline."

"In time in precision sports, your body fails your mind," Davis commented.

"Your arm doesn't perform as required. The first symptom I noticed involved while alignment was good, the speed was off.

"Shot strength is the critical factor and there's no solution. It's inevitable."

Ronnie's psychological training coincided with meticulous physical care often stressing nutritional importance in his achievements.

"He doesn't drink, consumes nutritious food," commented an ex-winner. "He appears he's 50!"

Williams also discovered dietary advantages lately, revealing this year he added pre-game nutrition, reportedly sustains energy during long sessions.

Although John Higgins lost significant weight in 2021, attributing it to spin classes, he currently says the weight returned though intending home gym installation for renewed motivation.

Driving Force

"The greatest challenge as you older is training. That love for the game needs to continue," remarked a commentator.

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan aren't exempt from these difficulties. Higgins, a four-time world champion, stated in September he struggles "to train consistently".

"However, I think that's normal," Higgins continued. "Getting older, focus changes."

John considered skipping some tournaments yet limited by the ranking system, where tournament entries rely on results in lesser events.

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

O'Sullivan, too has reduced his tournament appearances after moving abroad. This event marks his first home tournament this season.

Yet all three appear ready to retire yet. Like in other sports where legendary rivals like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic motivated one another to excel, similarly O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"When one wins, it makes others wonder why not the others?" commented an analyst. "I believe they motivate one another."

The Lack of Challengers

Following his most recent major victory at the 2024 Masters, O'Sullivan remarked that new generation "must step up because I'm declining failing eyesight, arm issues and bad knees and they still lose."

Although a Chinese player claimed the latest world title, few competitors emerged to dominate the season. Exemplified by current outcomes, with multiple champions claimed the first 11 events.

Yet challenging competing against Ronnie, with exceptional natural talent unmatched in sports, as recalled from his teenage appearance on a 1992 gameshow.

"His technique, was obvious instantly," he said, watching the youngster rapidly clearing the table to win prizes including a fax machine.

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

However, he implied previously that losing streaks fuel his drive.

It's been nearly two years since a tournament win, but Davis believes turning fifty could motivate him.

"Perhaps that turning 50 is the spark Ronnie needs to demonstrate his greatness," said Davis. "We all recognize his genius, but Ronnie enjoys amazing audiences.

"If he won the UK Championship, or the worlds, it would stun the crowd… Achieving that an incredible accomplishment."