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

That youthful insight highlighted O'Sullivan's distinct philosophy. His ambition extends beyond winning matches to include setting new standards in the sport.

Today, 35 years later, he has surpassed the accomplishments of those he admired while competing in the ongoing tournament, a competition where he maintains the distinction of being the oldest and youngest winner, O'Sullivan celebrates reaching fifty.

In professional sports, having just one 50-year-old competitor would be remarkable, but O'Sullivan's milestone signifies that three of the top six world players are now in their fifties.

Mark Williams and John Higgins, similar to The Rocket turned pro over thirty years ago, also celebrated their 50th birthdays recently.

Yet, such extended careers are not guaranteed in snooker. Stephen Hendry, who shares the record alongside Ronnie of seven world titles, claimed his final ranking event in his mid-thirties, while Davis' victory at the 1997 Masters, aged 39, came as an unexpected result.

This legendary trio, however, continue to resist fading away. Here we explore how three veterans remain competitive in world snooker.

The Mind

According to the legend, currently in his sixties, the key difference between generations is psychological.

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

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

O'Sullivan's mindset has been influenced through working with Professor Steve Peters, their partnership starting over a decade ago. In his 2023 documentary, his documentary, O'Sullivan inquires: "How long can I play, to avoid uncertainty?"

"If you focus on age, you activate self-fulfilling prophecies," he advises. "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 Ronnie adopted, telling reporters that he feels "alright," noting: "I avoid putting excessive pressure … I appreciate where I am."

The Body

While not physically demanding, success still relies on physical traits that typically favor younger competitors.

Ronnie stays fit through running, yet difficult to avoid other age-related issues, like worsening eyesight, which Williams understands intimately.

"It amuses me. I need spectacles for everything: reading, medium distance, far shots," Williams shared this season.

The Welsh player considered lens replacement surgery but postponed it multiple times, latest in autumn, primarily since he continues winning.

Williams might benefit from brain adaptation, a psychological concept.

A vision specialist, training professionals, explained that without conditions like cataracts exists, the brain can adjust to weaker eyesight.

"Everyone, by your mid-30s, maybe early 40s, experience the eye lens stiffening," she said.

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

"Yet, even if vision remain fine, other physical aspects may fail."

"In time in precision sports, your physique betrays your mind," Steve noted.

"Your arm doesn't perform as required. The initial sign I noticed involved while alignment was good, the pace was wrong.

"Shot strength is the critical factor with no easy fix. It's inevitable."

Ronnie's psychological training paired with careful body management often stressing the role of diet for his success.

"He avoids alcohol, eats healthily," said an ex-winner. "He appears thirty years younger!"

Williams also discovered dietary advantages recently, revealing this year he added pre-game nutrition, reportedly sustains energy during long sessions.

And while Higgins lost significant weight in 2021, crediting regular exercise, he now admits he regained it but plans setting up equipment for renewed motivation.

Driving Force

"The greatest challenge with age is practice. That love for snooker must persist," 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 normal," Higgins continued. "Getting older, priorities shift."

John considered skipping some tournaments but is constrained by the ranking system, where tournament entries depends on performance in smaller competitions.

"It's challenging," he explained. "It can harm psychological well-being attempting to attend every tournament."

Similarly, Ronnie cut back his tournament appearances after moving abroad. The UK Championship marks his first domestic competition currently.

Yet all three seem prepared to stop playing. Similar to tennis where legendary rivals such as the tennis icons motivated one another to excel, similarly O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams.

"If one succeeds, it raises the question why can't they?" said a pundit. "I believe they've inspired one another."

Absence of New Rivals

After his latest major victory this year, O'Sullivan remarked that new generation "need to improve because I'm declining with poor vision, a unreliable arm and bad knees yet they can't win."

Although a Chinese player claimed the latest World Championship, few competitors emerged to dominate the season. Exemplified by current outcomes, with multiple champions claimed the first 11 events.

Yet challenging competing against Ronnie, with exceptional natural talent unmatched in sports, remembered since his youth on television.

"His technique, was obvious instantly," noted, watching the youngster potting balls quickly to win prizes like outdated technology.

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

However, he implied in the past that droughts fuel his drive.

It's been nearly two years without a tournament win, but Davis believes this birthday might inspire O'Sullivan.

"Perhaps that turning 50 provides the impetus he requires to demonstrate his skill," commented the veteran. "Everyone knows his genius, and he loves astonishing people.

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