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Back when a teenage Ronnie O'Sullivan was questioned about his snooker idol decades ago, he remarked "he creates new techniques … few competitors can do that".

This early statement revealed O'Sullivan's distinct philosophy. His ambition isn't limited to winning matches to include redefining excellence within snooker.

Today, after three decades, he has surpassed 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.

At the elite level, having just one 50-year-old competitor would be remarkable, yet his half-century means that three of the top six world players are now in their sixth decade.

The Welsh Potting Machine together with the Wizard of Wishaw, who like O'Sullivan turned pro in 1992, similarly marked reaching fifty recently.

However, such extended careers are not guaranteed in this sport. The seven-time world champion, holding the record with O'Sullivan for most world championships, won his last ranking event in his mid-thirties, whereas Steve Davis' triumph in 1997, aged 39, came as a major surprise.

This legendary trio, however, stubbornly refuse declining. 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, rather than retraining my mind," he explained. "It felt like inevitable progression.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have proven otherwise. 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 over a decade ago. In his 2023 documentary, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan inquires: "How long can I play, to avoid uncertainty?"

"By fixating on years, you trigger negative expectations," Peters responds. "You'll start thinking 'Oh, I'm 46, I can't perform!' Avoid that mindset. To maintain success, and continue performing, disregard your age."

This guidance O'Sullivan has followed, mentioning recently that turning 50 "acceptable," adding: "I avoid putting excessive pressure … I appreciate this life stage."

The Body

While not an athletic sport, success still relies on physical traits usually benefiting younger competitors.

O'Sullivan maintains fitness through running, but it's challenging to avoid aging effects, like worsening eyesight, something Mark knows intimately.

"It amuses me. I need spectacles for everything: reading, mid-range, long distance," Williams shared this season.

The Welsh player considered lens replacement surgery delaying it multiple times, most recently in November, mainly because he keeps succeeding.

Williams might benefit from brain adaptation, a psychological concept.

Zoe Wimshurst, who coaches athletes, noted that without conditions such as cataracts, the brain can adjust to impaired vision.

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

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

"But, even if vision remain fine, other physical aspects could decline."

"In time in games requiring accuracy, your physique betrays your intentions," Davis commented.

"Your cue action fails to execute properly. The first symptom I felt was that although I aimed straight, the speed was off.

"Shot strength becomes problematic and there's no solution. That will occur."

O'Sullivan's mental work paired with meticulous physical care often stressing the role of diet in his achievements.

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

Williams also discovered nutritional benefits lately, revealing this year he incorporates pre-game nutrition, which he claims maintains stamina during long sessions.

And while Higgins shed over three stone in 2021, crediting spin classes, he now admits the weight returned though intending home gym installation for renewed motivation.

Driving Force

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

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, priorities shift."

John considered skipping some tournaments yet limited due to points requirements, where major event qualification rely on results in lesser events.

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

Similarly, Ronnie cut back his tournament appearances after moving abroad. The UK Championship marks his first home tournament this season.

Yet all three appear ready to stop playing. Like in other sports where legendary rivals such as the tennis icons motivated one another to greater heights, so too have O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

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

The Lack of Challengers

Following his most recent Triple Crown win at the 2024 Masters, O'Sullivan observed that younger players "need to improve despite my age failing eyesight, arm issues and knee problems yet they can't win."

Although a Chinese player won this year's World Championship, rarely have players risen to control the season. Exemplified by this season's results, where 11 different winners have taken the first 11 events.

Yet challenging competing against Ronnie, who possesses exceptional natural talent rarely seen, as recalled since his youth on television.

"His stance, was obvious instantly," he said, watching the youngster potting balls quickly to win prizes including a fax machine.

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

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

It's been nearly two years without a tournament win, yet legends think this birthday could motivate O'Sullivan.

"Who knows that turning 50 provides the impetus he requires to demonstrate his skill," said Davis. "We all recognize his talent, and he loves astonishing people.

"If he won this tournament, or the World Championship, it would stun everyone… Achieving that a historic feat."