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Back when a teenage Ronnie O'Sullivan was questioned about his snooker idol decades ago, his response was "he invents shots … few competitors possess that ability".

This early statement revealed O'Sullivan's distinct philosophy. His drive isn't limited to winning matches to include setting new standards within snooker.

Now, 35 years later, he exceeded the achievements of his heroes and during the ongoing tournament, a competition where he maintains records for both the oldest and youngest winner, O'Sullivan will mark his 50th birthday.

In professional sports, having just one player of that age 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, who like O'Sullivan turned pro in 1992, also celebrated reaching fifty this year.

However, this remarkable longevity are not guaranteed in snooker. The seven-time world champion, holding the record with O'Sullivan for most world championships, won his last ranking event in his mid-thirties, while Davis' victory at the 1997 Masters, nearing forty, was considered an unexpected result.

This legendary trio, however, continue to resist declining. This article examines how three veterans remain competitive in professional snooker.

Mental Strength

According to the legend, currently in his sixties, the primary distinction across eras is psychological.

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

"These three champions have proven that's not true. Everything is psychological… you can compete longer than expected."

The Rocket's approach has been influenced by psychiatrist Professor Steve Peters, with whom he's collaborated since 2011. In his 2023 documentary, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan inquires: "What's my potential age, to avoid uncertainty?"

"If you focus on age, you trigger negative expectations," Peters responds. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I can't perform!' Avoid that mindset. To maintain success, and keep delivering, disregard your age."

This guidance O'Sullivan has followed, mentioning recently that turning 50 "alright," noting: "I try not to overburden myself … I enjoy where I am."

The Body

Snooker may not be physically demanding, winning depends on bodily attributes that typically favor youthful players.

Ronnie stays fit by jogging, but it's challenging to prevent aging effects, such as vision decline, which Williams understands very well.

"I find it funny. I require glasses constantly: reading, medium distance, far shots," Mark stated this season.

The Welsh player considered vision correction delaying it multiple times, most recently in November, primarily since he continues winning.

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

Zoe Wimshurst, who coaches athletes, noted that provided no eye disease like cataracts exists, the brain can adjust to impaired vision.

"All people, after thirty-five, or early forties, experience the eye lens stiffening," she said.

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

"Yet, even if vision remain fine, other physical aspects may fail."

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

"Your arm fails to execute properly. The first symptom I felt involved 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 careful body management and he frequently emphasizes nutritional importance for his success.

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

Mark similarly realized nutritional benefits lately, revealing this year he incorporates a pre-match meal, reportedly sustains energy during long sessions.

And while Higgins lost significant weight recently, crediting regular exercise, he currently says the weight returned though intending home gym installation to reinvigorate himself.

The Motivation

"The toughest aspect with age is practice. That passion for snooker needs to continue," added another expert.

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan face similar challenges. Higgins, a four-time world champion, stated in September he finds it hard "to train consistently".

"However, I think that's normal," John added. "As you age, priorities shift."

Higgins has contemplated reducing his schedule but is constrained due to points requirements, where tournament entries rely on results in lesser events.

"It's challenging," he explained. "It can harm psychological well-being trying to play all these events."

O'Sullivan, too has reduced his European schedule after moving to Dubai. This event is his initial domestic competition this season.

But none appear ready to stop playing. Like in other sports where legendary rivals like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic pushed each other to greater heights, so too have O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"If one succeeds, it raises the question why can't they?" said a pundit. "I believe they've inspired each other."

Absence of New Rivals

Following his most recent major victory at the 2024 Masters, O'Sullivan remarked that younger players "must step up despite my age with poor vision, arm issues and knee problems and they still lose."

Although a Chinese player claimed the latest World Championship, few competitors risen to control the tour. This is evident current outcomes, where 11 different winners claimed initial tournaments.

But it's difficult competing against Ronnie, with innate ability unmatched in sports, remembered since his youth on a 1992 gameshow.

"His stance, was obvious instantly," he said, observing the teen potting balls quickly securing rewards including a fax machine.

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

Yet, he implied previously that droughts help maintain drive.

Almost two years since a tournament win, yet legends think turning fifty could motivate him.

"Perhaps that turning 50 is the spark Ronnie needs to demonstrate his greatness," said Davis. "Everyone knows his genius, but Ronnie enjoys astonishing people.

"If he won the UK Championship, or the worlds, it would amaze everyone… Achieving that a historic feat."