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When a 14-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke about his snooker idol in 1990, his response was "he creates new techniques … few competitors possess that ability".

This early statement highlighted O'Sullivan's distinct philosophy. His drive isn't limited to winning matches encompassing setting new standards in the sport.

Today, after three decades, he exceeded the achievements of those he admired while competing in this week's UK Championship, a competition where he maintains records for both the oldest and youngest winner, 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 have entered their sixth decade.

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

Yet, such extended careers isn't automatic in snooker. Stephen Hendry, 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, nearing forty, came as an unexpected result.

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

The Mind

For Steve Davis, currently in his sixties, the key difference between generations is psychological.

"I always blamed my form when losing, instead of retraining my mind," he stated. "It seemed like inevitable progression.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have demonstrated that's not true. Everything is psychological… careers can extend beyond predictions."

The Rocket's approach was shaped by psychiatrist Professor Steve Peters, their partnership starting over a decade ago. In his 2023 documentary, his documentary, O'Sullivan asks him: "What's my potential age, to avoid uncertainty?"

"If you focus on age, you activate self-fulfilling prophecies," 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, telling reporters that turning 50 "acceptable," adding: "I avoid putting excessive pressure … I enjoy where I am."

The Body

Snooker may not be an athletic sport, success still relies on bodily attributes that typically favor younger competitors.

Ronnie stays fit through running, yet difficult to avoid aging effects, such as vision decline, something Mark knows very well.

"It amuses me. I require glasses constantly: reading, mid-range, long distance," Williams shared this season.

The Welsh player has contemplated vision correction delaying it multiple times, most recently in November, mainly because he continues winning.

Williams might benefit from neuroplasticity, a mental phenomenon.

A vision specialist, training professionals, noted that provided no eye disease such as cataracts, the mind adapts to impaired vision.

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

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

"Yet, should eyesight isn't the issue, other physical aspects may fail."

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

"Your cue action fails to execute as required. The initial sign I noticed involved although I aimed straight, the pace was wrong.

"Delivery weight is the critical factor with no easy fix. That will occur."

Ronnie's psychological training paired with meticulous physical care often stressing the role of diet for his success.

"He avoids alcohol, consumes nutritious food," commented an ex-winner. "He appears he's 50!"

Mark similarly realized dietary advantages recently, disclosing in 2024 he incorporates a pre-match meal, which he claims sustains energy through extended matches.

Although John Higgins shed over three stone in 2021, attributing it to regular exercise, he now admits the weight returned though intending home gym installation to reinvigorate himself.

The Motivation

"The toughest aspect with age is practice. That love for the game needs to continue," remarked a commentator.

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

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

Higgins has contemplated reducing his schedule yet limited due to points requirements, where tournament entries depends on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's challenging," he said. "Negatively affect mental health trying to play all these events."

Similarly, Ronnie cut back his European schedule after moving to Dubai. The UK Championship marks his first home tournament this season.

But none appear ready to retire yet. Like in other sports where great competitors like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic motivated one another to greater heights, so too have O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"When one wins, it raises the question why can't they?" commented an analyst. "I believe they motivate one another."

The Lack of Challengers

Following his most recent Triple Crown win at the 2024 Masters, O'Sullivan observed that younger players "need to improve because I'm declining failing eyesight, a unreliable arm and bad knees and they still lose."

While China's Zhao Xintong claimed the latest World Championship, rarely have players risen to control the season. This is evident current outcomes, with multiple champions claimed the first 11 events.

Yet challenging competing against Ronnie, who possesses exceptional natural talent unmatched in sports, as recalled from his teenage appearance on television.

"His stance, you could immediately see," he said, watching the youngster potting balls quickly securing rewards like outdated technology.

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

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

Almost two years since his last ranking title, but Davis believes turning fifty might inspire him.

"Who knows this milestone provides the impetus he requires to demonstrate his greatness," commented the veteran. "Everyone knows his talent, and he loves astonishing people.

"Should he claim this tournament, or the World Championship, it would stun everyone… Achieving that an incredible accomplishment."