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When a 14-year-old Ronnie O'Sullivan was questioned about Steve Davis decades ago, he remarked "he invents shots … few competitors possess that ability".

This early statement 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 those he admired and during this week's UK Championship, where he holds the distinction of being the most veteran and youngest champion, O'Sullivan celebrates reaching fifty.

At the elite level, having just one player of that age would be remarkable, but O'Sullivan's milestone signifies that three of the top six world players are now in their fifties.

The Welsh Potting Machine together with the Wizard of Wishaw, similar to The Rocket became professionals over thirty years ago, also celebrated their 50th birthdays recently.

Yet, such extended careers are not guaranteed in this sport. Stephen Hendry, who shares the distinction alongside Ronnie for most world championships, won his last professional tournament in his mid-thirties, while Davis' victory at the 1997 Masters, aged 39, was considered an unexpected result.

This legendary trio, though, stubbornly refuse declining. This article examines how three veterans stay at the top in world snooker.

The Mind

For Steve Davis, now 68, the primary distinction between generations is psychological.

"I always blamed my technique for failures, rather than adjusting mentally," he stated. "It felt like the natural cycle.

"Ronnie, John and Mark have demonstrated otherwise. Everything is psychological… careers can extend beyond predictions."

The Rocket's approach was shaped by psychiatrist Professor Steve Peters, their partnership starting since 2011. During a recent film, his documentary, O'Sullivan asks him: "How long can I play, to avoid uncertainty?"

"By fixating on years, you trigger self-fulfilling prophecies," he advises. "You'll start thinking 'Oh, I'm 46, I can't perform!' I discourage that. To maintain success, and continue performing, disregard your age."

Such advice Ronnie adopted, mentioning recently that he feels "alright," noting: "I avoid to overburden myself … I appreciate where I am."

Physical Condition

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

Ronnie stays fit through running, yet difficult to prevent aging effects, like worsening eyesight, something Mark knows very well.

"I find it funny. I require glasses constantly: reading, medium distance, long distance," Williams shared recently.

The Welsh player considered lens replacement surgery but postponed it repeatedly, most recently in November, primarily since he keeps succeeding.

Mark could be gaining from brain adaptation, a psychological concept.

Zoe Wimshurst, who coaches athletes, explained that without conditions such as cataracts, the mind adapts to weaker eyesight.

"All people, after thirty-five, maybe early 40s, experience the eye lens stiffening," she said.

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

"Yet, even if vision remain fine, bodily factors may fail."

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

"Your cue action doesn't perform as required. The initial sign I felt was that while alignment was good, the pace was wrong.

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

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

"He doesn't drink, consumes nutritious food," commented a former champion. "You wouldn't guess thirty years younger!"

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

Although John Higgins shed over three stone recently, attributing it to spin classes, he currently says the weight returned but plans setting up equipment to reinvigorate himself.

Driving Force

"The greatest challenge with age is training. That love for snooker needs to continue," remarked a commentator.

The veteran trio aren't exempt challenges. Higgins, a four-time world champion, mentioned recently he struggles "to practice regularly".

"However, I think that's natural," John added. "Getting older, priorities shift."

John considered reducing his schedule but is constrained by the ranking system, where tournament entries rely on results in lesser events.

"It's challenging," he said. "Negatively affect mental health attempting to attend every tournament."

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

But none seem prepared to stop playing. Like in other sports where great competitors like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic pushed each other to greater heights, 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 each other."

Absence of New Rivals

Following his most recent Triple Crown win this year, O'Sullivan observed that younger players "need to improve despite my age with poor vision, arm issues and knee problems and they still lose."

While China's Zhao Xintong won this year's world title, few competitors emerged to dominate the season. This is evident current outcomes, with multiple champions have taken the first 11 events.

But it's difficult competing against Ronnie, who possesses exceptional natural talent rarely seen, as recalled from his teenage appearance on television.

"His technique, was obvious instantly," noted, watching the youngster rapidly clearing the table to win prizes including a fax machine.

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

However, he implied in the past that losing streaks fuel his motivation.

Almost two years without a tournament win, yet legends think turning fifty could motivate him.

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

"If he won this tournament, or the worlds, it would stun the crowd… That would be a historic feat."