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Back when a teenage Ronnie O'Sullivan spoke regarding Steve Davis in 1990, his response was "he invents shots … few competitors can do that".

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

Now, after three decades, he has surpassed the achievements of those he admired while competing in the ongoing tournament, where he holds records for both the most veteran and youngest champion, O'Sullivan will mark his 50th birthday.

In professional sports, for a single player of that age would be remarkable, yet his half-century means that three of the top six world players have entered their sixth decade.

The Welsh Potting Machine and John Higgins, who like O'Sullivan turned pro in 1992, similarly marked reaching fifty recently.

Yet, this remarkable longevity isn't automatic in snooker. Stephen Hendry, who shares the distinction alongside Ronnie for most world championships, claimed his final professional tournament in his mid-thirties, while Davis' victory at the 1997 Masters, aged 39, came as a major surprise.

The Class of 92, though, continue to resist fading away. Here we explore how three veterans remain competitive in professional snooker.

Mental Strength

For Steve Davis, currently in his sixties, the key difference between generations lies in mentality.

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

"These three champions have proven otherwise. Everything is psychological… careers can extend than expected."

The Rocket's approach was shaped through working with Professor Steve Peters, with whom he's collaborated since 2011. During a recent film, The Edge of Everything, O'Sullivan asks him: "How long can I play, without doubting myself?"

"If you focus on age, you activate negative expectations," he advises. "Thoughts like 'Oh, I'm 46, I can't perform!' Avoid that mindset. To maintain success, and keep delivering, then ignore age."

This guidance Ronnie adopted, telling reporters that he feels "alright," noting: "I avoid putting excessive pressure … I enjoy where I am."

Physical Condition

Snooker may not be an athletic sport, winning depends on bodily attributes that typically favor youthful players.

Ronnie stays fit through running, but it's challenging to avoid other age-related issues, like worsening eyesight, which Williams understands very well.

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

The Welsh player has contemplated vision correction but postponed it multiple times, latest in autumn, mainly because he continues winning.

Williams might benefit from brain adaptation, a psychological concept.

A vision specialist, training professionals, noted that without conditions such as cataracts, the mind adapts to impaired vision.

"Everyone, after thirty-five, maybe early 40s, will notice reduced lens flexibility," she said.

"But our brains adapt to challenges continuously, even into old age.

"Yet, even if vision isn't the issue, other physical aspects may fail."

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

"Your arm fails to execute as required. The first symptom I felt was that although I aimed straight, the speed was off.

"Delivery weight is the critical factor with no easy fix. It's inevitable."

O'Sullivan's mental work coincided with meticulous physical care often stressing nutritional importance for his success.

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

Mark similarly realized dietary advantages lately, revealing this year he added a pre-match meal, which he claims sustains energy during long sessions.

And while Higgins shed over three stone recently, attributing it to regular exercise, he currently says the weight returned though intending home gym installation to reinvigorate himself.

Driving Force

"The greatest challenge with age is practice. That passion for the game needs to continue," added another expert.

Williams, Higgins and O'Sullivan aren't exempt from these difficulties. Higgins, multiple title holder, stated in September he finds it hard "to practice regularly".

"However, I think that's natural," Higgins continued. "As you age, priorities shift."

Higgins has contemplated skipping some tournaments yet limited by the ranking system, where major event qualification rely on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's a balancing act," he explained. "It can harm mental health trying to play all these events."

Similarly, Ronnie has reduced his European schedule after moving abroad. The UK Championship is his initial domestic competition currently.

But none seem prepared to retire yet. Like in other sports where great competitors such as the tennis icons pushed each other to excel, similarly O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"When one wins, it makes others wonder why can't they?" said a pundit. "I believe they've inspired one another."

The Lack of Challengers

After his latest Triple Crown win at the 2024 Masters, O'Sullivan observed that new generation "must step up despite my age failing eyesight, a unreliable arm and bad knees yet they can't win."

While China's Zhao Xintong won this year's World Championship, rarely have players risen to control the tour. This is evident this season's results, with multiple champions claimed initial tournaments.

Yet challenging competing against Ronnie, with exceptional natural talent rarely seen, as recalled from his teenage appearance on television.

"His technique, you could immediately see," noted, observing the teen potting balls quickly securing rewards like outdated technology.

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

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

Almost two years without a tournament win, yet legends think this birthday could motivate him.

"Perhaps this milestone is the spark he requires to demonstrate his greatness," said Davis. "We all recognize his talent, and he loves astonishing people.

"Should he claim this tournament, or the World Championship, it would amaze the crowd… That would be an incredible accomplishment."