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When a teenage Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke about his snooker idol in 1990, he remarked "he creates new techniques … few competitors can do that".

That youthful insight revealed O'Sullivan's distinct philosophy. His drive extends beyond mere victory to include setting new standards within snooker.

Today, 35 years later, he exceeded the accomplishments of his heroes and during the ongoing tournament, where he holds records for both the most veteran and youngest champion, O'Sullivan will mark reaching fifty.

At the elite level, for a single 50-year-old competitor would be remarkable, but O'Sullivan's milestone means that multiple top-ranked world players have entered their fifties.

Mark Williams together with the Wizard of Wishaw, who like O'Sullivan turned pro in 1992, similarly marked reaching fifty recently.

Yet, such extended careers are not guaranteed in this sport. The seven-time world champion, holding the record alongside Ronnie for most world championships, claimed his final ranking event in his mid-thirties, while Davis' triumph in 1997, aged 39, came as a major surprise.

The Class of 92, though, continue to resist fading away. Here we explore how three veterans stay at the top in professional snooker.

Mental Strength

According to the legend, currently in his sixties, the key difference between generations lies in mentality.

"I always blamed my technique when losing, instead of adjusting mentally," he stated. "It seemed like inevitable progression.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have demonstrated that's not true. It's all mental… careers can extend than expected."

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

"By fixating on years, you trigger negative expectations," he advises. "You'll start thinking 'Oh, I'm 46, I'll decline!' Avoid that mindset. To maintain success, and continue performing, then ignore age."

This guidance O'Sullivan has followed, telling reporters that he feels "acceptable," adding: "I try not putting excessive pressure … I appreciate this life stage."

Physical Condition

While not physically demanding, winning depends on bodily attributes that typically favor younger competitors.

O'Sullivan maintains fitness through running, but it's challenging to avoid other age-related issues, like worsening eyesight, which Williams understands intimately.

"It amuses me. I require glasses constantly: reading, mid-range, long distance," Mark stated recently.

The two-time world champion considered lens replacement surgery but postponed it multiple times, most recently in November, mainly because he keeps succeeding.

Mark could be gaining from neuroplasticity, a mental phenomenon.

A vision specialist, training professionals, explained that provided no eye disease like cataracts exists, the brain can adjust to weaker eyesight.

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

"However our brains adapt to difficulties continuously, including senior years.

"But, even if vision remain fine, bodily factors may fail."

"In time in games requiring accuracy, your physique betrays your mind," Steve noted.

"Your arm doesn't perform properly. The first symptom I felt was that while alignment was good, the pace was wrong.

"Shot strength becomes problematic and there's no solution. It's inevitable."

O'Sullivan's mental work coincided with careful body management often stressing the role of diet in his achievements.

"He doesn't drink, consumes nutritious food," commented an ex-winner. "You wouldn't guess thirty years younger!"

Mark similarly realized dietary advantages lately, disclosing in 2024 he added a pre-match meal, which he claims sustains energy during long sessions.

Although John Higgins lost significant weight recently, crediting spin classes, he currently says he regained it but plans home gym installation to reinvigorate himself.

The Motivation

"The greatest challenge as you older is training. That love for snooker must persist," remarked a commentator.

The veteran trio aren't exempt challenges. Higgins, multiple title holder, stated in September he finds it hard "to train consistently".

"But I believe that's natural," Higgins continued. "As you age, focus changes."

Higgins has contemplated skipping some tournaments yet limited due to points requirements, where tournament entries depends on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's a balancing act," he explained. "Negatively affect psychological well-being attempting to attend all these events."

O'Sullivan, too cut back his European schedule since relocating abroad. This event marks his first domestic competition currently.

But none seem prepared to retire yet. Similar to tennis where great competitors 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 think they've inspired each other."

Absence of New Rivals

After his latest Triple Crown win at the 2024 Masters, O'Sullivan observed that younger players "need to improve despite my age failing eyesight, a unreliable arm and bad knees and they still lose."

While China's Zhao Xintong won this year's World Championship, rarely have players risen to control the season. Exemplified by current outcomes, where 11 different winners have taken initial tournaments.

But it's difficult when facing O'Sullivan, with innate ability unmatched in sports, as recalled from his teenage appearance on television.

"His stance, you could immediately see," noted, watching the youngster rapidly clearing the table securing rewards including a fax machine.

Ronnie often states that victories "isn't everything."

Yet, he has suggested in the past that losing streaks fuel his motivation.

It's been nearly two years without his last ranking title, but Davis believes this birthday could motivate O'Sullivan.

"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 this tournament, or the World Championship, it would amaze the crowd… Achieving that a historic feat."