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Back when a 14-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke regarding Steve Davis in 1990, his response was "he creates new techniques … few competitors can do that".

That youthful insight revealed O'Sullivan's unique approach. His drive isn't limited to winning matches encompassing redefining excellence in the sport.

Today, after three decades, he exceeded the accomplishments of his heroes while competing in this week's UK Championship, where he holds the distinction of being the most veteran and youngest champion, O'Sullivan will mark reaching fifty.

At the elite level, for a single player of that age would be remarkable, but O'Sullivan's milestone signifies that multiple top-ranked world players are now in their fifties.

The Welsh Potting Machine and John Higgins, who like O'Sullivan became professionals in 1992, also celebrated their 50th birthdays recently.

However, this remarkable longevity are not guaranteed in this sport. Stephen Hendry, who shares the record alongside Ronnie for most world championships, won his last ranking event in his mid-thirties, whereas Steve Davis' triumph in 1997, nearing forty, came as an unexpected result.

This legendary trio, though, continue to resist fading away. This article examines how three veterans stay at the top in world snooker.

Mental Strength

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

"I always blamed my technique for failures, instead of adjusting mentally," he explained. "It seemed like inevitable progression.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have proven that's not true. Everything is psychological… you can compete longer than expected."

O'Sullivan's mindset was shaped by psychiatrist a mental coach, with whom he's collaborated 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 trigger self-fulfilling prophecies," Peters responds. "You'll start thinking 'Oh, I'm 46, I can't perform!' Avoid that mindset. If you want to win, and keep delivering, then ignore age."

Such advice Ronnie adopted, mentioning recently that turning 50 "alright," adding: "I avoid to overburden myself … I enjoy this life stage."

The Body

Snooker may not be an athletic sport, winning depends on physical traits usually benefiting youthful players.

Ronnie stays fit by jogging, but it's challenging to prevent other age-related issues, such as vision decline, which Williams understands very well.

"I find it funny. I require glasses for everything: reading, mid-range, long distance," Williams shared this season.

The Welsh player considered vision correction but postponed it repeatedly, most recently in November, primarily since he keeps succeeding.

Mark could be gaining from neuroplasticity, a mental phenomenon.

Zoe Wimshurst, training professionals, explained that without conditions such as cataracts, the mind adapts to impaired vision.

"All people, by your mid-30s, maybe early 40s, will notice the eye lens stiffening," she said.

"However our brains adapt to challenges throughout life, even into old age.

"Yet, should eyesight remain fine, other physical aspects may fail."

"In time in games requiring accuracy, your body fails your mind," Davis commented.

"Your arm fails to execute 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. That will occur."

Ronnie's psychological training coincided with careful body management often stressing the role of diet in his achievements.

"He avoids alcohol, eats healthily," commented a former champion. "He appears thirty years younger!"

Williams also discovered dietary advantages recently, revealing this year he added a pre-match meal, reportedly maintains stamina during long sessions.

And while Higgins shed over three stone in 2021, attributing it to spin classes, he now admits he regained it though intending home gym installation to reinvigorate himself.

Driving Force

"The toughest aspect as you older is training. That love for snooker must persist," added another expert.

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan face similar from these difficulties. Higgins, a four-time world champion, stated in September he struggles "to practice regularly".

"However, I think that's natural," John added. "As you age, focus changes."

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

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

Similarly, Ronnie has reduced his tournament appearances since relocating abroad. This event marks his first home tournament currently.

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

"When one wins, it raises the question why can't they?" commented an analyst. "I think they've inspired each other."

The Lack of Challengers

Following his most recent major victory at the 2024 Masters, O'Sullivan remarked that new generation "must step up despite my age with poor vision, a unreliable arm and bad knees and they still lose."

While China's Zhao Xintong won this year's world title, rarely have players emerged to dominate the tour. Exemplified by this season's results, where 11 different winners have taken initial tournaments.

Yet challenging when facing O'Sullivan, with exceptional natural talent unmatched in sports, remembered from his teenage appearance on a 1992 gameshow.

"His stance, you could immediately see," noted, watching the youngster potting balls quickly securing rewards including a fax machine.

Ronnie often states that winning tournaments "isn't everything."

However, he implied in the past that droughts help maintain drive.

It's been nearly two years without a tournament win, yet legends think turning fifty might inspire him.

"Perhaps this milestone provides the impetus Ronnie needs to show his skill," commented the veteran. "We all recognize his talent, but Ronnie enjoys astonishing people.

"If he won the UK Championship, or the World Championship, it would amaze everyone… Achieving that an incredible accomplishment."