The Secret Behind Snooker Player Longevity: What Elite Players Know
- Dr Paul McCarthy
- Nov 11, 2025
- 15 min read
Snooker players have some of the longest careers in professional sports. Research shows professional athletes live up to 13% longer than the general population. A study of professional snooker tournaments from 1968 to 2020 found 18 players stayed active for more than 30 years. This career span goes well beyond what we see in most competitive sports.
Several factors contribute to this impressive staying power. The game's unique mix of length, mental focus, and physical requirements creates ideal conditions for extended careers. Players like Tony Drago can aim for 30-year professional careers because snooker doesn't have the high injury rates common in contact sports. The challenge of achieving a perfect 147 score keeps players mentally sharp throughout their careers.
This piece explores why snooker stands out for player longevity compared to other sports. You'll learn about everything from physical demands to mental toughness, and from training habits to lifestyle choices. We'll uncover how elite players maintain their careers for decades. The analysis will show you why snooker becomes a lifetime pursuit for many players and fascinates sports enthusiasts.
How snooker compares to other sports in longevity
Athletes in professional sports have vastly different career spans. Some retire in their mid-30s, while others keep competing into their 50s and beyond. Snooker stands out as a sport that lets athletes have remarkably long careers.
Tennis, golf, and cricket vs. snooker
Non-contact sports show interesting patterns. Tennis players live 25% longer than the general population [1]. This makes tennis the sport that adds the most years to life according to recent studies. Golf comes in close, as professionals play into their 50s and beyond [2]. Phil Mickelson proved this point by winning the PGA Championship at 50 - an age many athletes would call retirement [2].
Cricket players also enjoy longer lives, as studies show [3]. The numbers are even better for cricket captains, who show 14% more survivors than expected male mortality rates [1].
Snooker's numbers tell an amazing story. The largest longitudinal study from 1968-2020 found that 18 professional snooker players managed to keep active careers for over 30 years [2]. This shows how snooker's mix of mental and physical demands creates ideal conditions for long careers.
The "Class of 92" in snooker shows this perfectly. Three players who started their professional careers in 1992 have competed against each other for more than 28 years [4]. Ronnie O'Sullivan exemplifies this staying power - he's been winning major titles for 29 years [5].
Why contact sports show lower longevity
Contact sports paint a different picture. Boxing proves especially dangerous - elite boxers live about 25% shorter lives than other top athletes [3]. Rule changes over the last several years haven't helped much. Boxing remains the riskiest sport in multiple longevity studies [3].
Repeated head trauma seems to be the biggest problem. Boxers die from head trauma-related causes more often than athletes in any other sport [6]. American football players face similar risks.
Most contact sport stars hang up their gloves before their mid-30s because "the body simply can't take the pounding" [2]. NFL running backs rarely play past 30. Soccer players usually finish up before 36 [2].
Football players today live shorter lives than those from the 1930s and 1940s [3]. Heavy game schedules, increased physical contact, and long-term injury effects - especially head impacts - might explain this trend [3].
Where snooker fits in the spectrum
Snooker belongs with sports where "steady nerves and practice matter more than raw athletic explosiveness" [2]. Like darts, it lets players compete at elite levels for decades - something rare in professional sports.
Snooker leads the pack in athletic longevity. Professional athletes in any discipline might live 13% longer than average people [3], but snooker players often do even better. Having 18 players with careers spanning three decades makes snooker one of the most sustainable competitive sports [2].
This extended career window leads to amazing achievements. Steve Davis retired after 38 professional years with 28 ranking titles and 355 century breaks [7]. He stepped away at 58 - an age when most athletes have been watching from home for decades.
Michael Holt's words sum it up best: "Playing snooker for 30 years, if you gave me the choice of doing anything in the world I'd still pick playing snooker" [2]. This explains why many players keep competing long after possible retirement - the game is a chance to blend challenge and satisfaction that keeps elite players involved for extraordinary periods.
The physical demands of snooker and their impact
A snooker match might look calm on the surface, but players put their bodies through more than you'd think. The physical side of snooker affects how long players can stay in the game, and it's worth a closer look.
Low-impact nature of snooker
Snooker is available to many people because you don't need much physical strength to start [8]. Players can keep competing well into their later years because the game doesn't take a heavy toll on the body.
But don't let the easy-going appearance fool you. EMG studies show that players' erector spinae muscles work at 70-80% of their maximum voluntary contraction during shots [9]. That's the same strain your back feels when you lift heavy weights or carry loads up stairs.
Top pros stay in great shape. World Snooker coaches say the best players can chest press 85-100 kg and do lat pulldowns of 70-90 kg [9]. These numbers match athletes from other precision sports, which proves snooker players need real strength beneath their calm exterior.
The game's unique stance makes players bend at the waist, stretch, and hold still for long periods. This puts a lot of strain on their bodies. Players must build strong cores and upper backs to perform well under pressure, especially in matches that last for hours or days.
Snooker game length and endurance
A typical snooker match runs 2-4 hours [8], and championship matches at places like the Crucible can go much longer. Players spend this time walking around the table, bending, stretching, and keeping their balance in tough positions.
The World Championship pushes players even harder. They must win 71 frames across up to 16 sessions over 17 days [10]. Few other sports test both mental fortitude and physical stamina this way.
The game might look relaxed, but two hours of snooker burns 200-350 calories [8]. That's like taking a brisk walk or doing light aerobics - more than just standing around.
Tournament players can spend over 10 hours daily in the arena [3]. This makes staying in shape crucial as careers go on. Players like Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby, and Mark Williams have dealt with neck and back problems in part from years of playing, practicing, and traveling [3].
Injury rates compared to other sports
Snooker is pretty safe, but injuries happen. Between 2000 and 2020, US emergency rooms saw about 78,524 billiards-related injuries [1]. Men factored in for about 70% of these cases [1].
Most people got hurt from balls or cues hitting them (51.1%) [11]. The top five injuries were contusion/abrasion (24.2%), laceration (22.3%), sprain/strain (19.7%), fracture (12.0%), and internal injury [1]. The good news is 94.5% of patients just needed treatment and could go home, though 3.4% had to stay in the hospital [1].
Players' wrists take a beating from all the pressure and awkward positions during breaks and shots [12]. They get the same kind of wrist problems tennis players face - tendonitis, sprains, and sometimes fractures [12].
Snooker stays relatively safe because:
Players don't make contact with each other
The environment stays controlled
The relaxed pace lets players use proper form
Today's top players take more steps to prevent injuries. They do fitness training for core strength, try yoga for flexibility, and work on their cardio to stay healthy [13]. They also break up practice sessions to rest and avoid getting too tired [3].
Snooker hits a sweet spot that few other competitive sports manage. Players can have really long careers, but they still need to stay fit to play their best.
Mental resilience and its role in long careers
A player's mental resilience shapes their career longevity in professional snooker more than physical abilities. The game creates a mental battlefield where champions rise or fall—especially during critical frames that demand total concentration.
Cognitive demands of snooker
Snooker players need sharp mental skills. The game forces them to think ahead and adapt to table conditions that keep changing [2]. This mental chess match goes deeper—top players know how to assess game situations and plan six or more shots ahead [14].
The slow pace makes snooker especially demanding when you have to concentrate [4]. Players must focus through hour-long frames and block out crowd noise to avoid mistakes [4]. The technical precision narrows a player's attention to three things: the cue, cue ball, and object ball—everything else fades away [4].
Top players use specific mental techniques to stay sharp:
Deep, controlled breathing reduces cortisol levels and steadies hands for precise shots [2]
Mindfulness between shots helps them stay centered in high-stakes games [2]
Well-laid-out pre-shot routines serve as mental reset buttons [2]
Handling pressure and focus over decades
Top snooker players excel at staying focused for long periods [4]. Research shows that negative feedback can improve performance when a respected coach delivers it constructively—while positive feedback might hurt performance [5].
Players must reset mentally between frames to last in the sport. Champions see each frame as a fresh chance instead of dwelling on past mistakes [2]. This mental toughness helps them bounce back from missed shots and stay composed during lengthy safety battles [7].
Big tournaments with large prizes naturally increase pressure [4]. Elite players switch to a detached, analytical mindset to focus better [4]. They look at misses technically, not emotionally, by asking "Did I miss because of cueing or aiming?" rather than getting frustrated [2].
Mental health and career sustainability
Snooker's lonely nature creates unique mental health challenges. Players spend countless hours practicing alone and traveling while dealing with competition stress [15]. This environment leads to what Ronnie O'Sullivan calls "snooker depression"—something that affects even the best players [16].
"I don't think it's healthy to be in a room hitting balls for four, five and six hours," O'Sullivan has stated. "When it becomes a job, you don't talk. You just keep quiet, concentrate and stay in that bubble for as long as you can" [16].
The sport now sees a growing need for better mental health support. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association works with Sporting Chance to give players free, confidential mental health support [15]. But challenges exist since players must ask for help themselves, and many hesitate to reach out [15].
Many professionals find motivation in chasing perfect snooker—including the rare 147 maximum break—despite these mental hurdles. Players who find the right balance end up with careers spanning decades in this mentally demanding sport.
Training habits of elite snooker players
Elite snooker players' remarkable career spans start well before they step into the tournament spotlight. These champions build their foundation through training regimens that balance technical precision with sustainable practice behind closed doors.
Practice routines and consistency
Top snooker players show remarkable differences in their pre-match preparations. Judd Trump shows up an hour before matches and says, "I will never go out there unless I have practiced for 30 to 45 minutes. I need that to warm up, that's really important for me" [17]. Mark Williams needs just "20 or 30 minutes on the practice table" [17]. Jack Lisowski often skips immediate pre-match practice, noting "The work should be done before a tournament starts" [17].
Professional players spend 4-6 hours training on regular days [6]. They split these sessions into smaller chunks to stay focused and maintain intensity. Most pros combine structured drills that target specific weaknesses with full practice frames. They work on everything from long potting to safety play.
Quality of practice matters more than quantity for top performers. A training guide points out: "What sets great players apart is not just how they perform in matches, but how they train when no one's watching" [18]. This emphasis on deliberate practice explains why many champions stay at the top for decades.
Biomechanics and precision training
Scientific research reveals fascinating details about elite snooker mechanics. Studies show that elbow flexion/extension drives the cueing movement, with minimal wrist involvement [19]. Players must keep their stance stable throughout the stroke—their weight distribution should be about 60% on the front foot [19].
Research into precision shows that pro players have tiny "discrepancy angles" (less than 1°) between practice swings and the final stroke [20]. This angle—measured between cue positions during the last practice swing and at impact—shows how consistent elite players' techniques are.
Motion capture studies revealed something remarkable: elite players maintain their elbow-shoulder-wrist projecting angle below -4° when striking the ball [21]. This position keeps the elbow joint on the inner side of the shoulder-wrist line, creating the best mechanical advantage.
One biomechanical study confirms what coaches have taught for generations: "Players are advised to maintain a steady stance for all types of shots, with slightly more weight placed on the front leg than the back leg" [20].
Importance of rest and recovery
Ronnie O'Sullivan, a seven-time world champion, changed how he practiced after learning about sustained performance. "I used to think I had to run hard every day to become better," O'Sullivan explains, "but I got a good coach and he would only let me run hard twice a week. The rest of it had to be steady running. And I started running my best times" [9].
O'Sullivan brought this insight to snooker, playing just "three or four days a week, sometimes for just an hour and a half" [9]. His experience shows how proper recovery helps careers last longer. "When I had a hard session, I was ready," he notes [9].
Recovery plays a vital role in snooker player longevity. Research indicates that "improper rest may cause stressors to compound and lead to excessive fatigue, poor concentration and a subsequent increased risk of injury" [13]. Elite players respond by taking structured breaks between practice sessions and regular days off.
The most successful players use training periodization—they alternate between intense sessions and planned rest periods to avoid burnout [3]. This approach keeps their technical skills sharp while protecting their mental freshness, helping them compete at the highest level for decades.
Post-career lifestyle and continued play
Snooker's appeal reaches way beyond professional rankings. Elite players create a unique post-career world where competitive play continues decades after official retirement.
Why many snooker players keep playing into old age
Professional players maintain their bond with the green baize after leaving the main tour. The game's low physical demands let players enjoy competitive matches well into their senior years [22]. Most professionals can't even think of alternative career paths when asked what they'd do if not playing snooker professionally [23].
Players build deep technical knowledge over decades. This foundation stays strong even as physical abilities slowly fade. A forum member put it perfectly: "They are very capable and would absolutely slaughter those of us who just play for fun" [22]. The social aspects and familiar skills give them fulfillment they can't easily find elsewhere.
Examples of players with long careers
Fred Davis stands alone with an amazing 63-year professional career from 1929 to 1992 [8]. He reached World Championship semi-finals 40 years apart (1938 and 1978) and won matches into his 70s [8].
Jack Fitzmaurice proved age was just a number. He became professional at 53 and played until age 74 in 2002 [8]. John Dunning shared a similar path and competed from 1970 until 1997, playing professionally until age 70 [8].
Mark Williams made history in 2025. He broke a 43-year record by becoming the oldest ranking event winner at 50 years and 206 days [24]. His response shows the competitive spirit among veterans: "Being the oldest at something, it's not really a record is it? I suppose if I take it, Ronnie or John Higgins will beat it in a few months' time" [24].
How lifestyle choices affect longevity
Players choose different paths after their careers, but many stay connected to snooker through:
Media roles (commentary, punditry)
Coaching and mentoring
Opening clubs or academies
Steve Davis shows how creative post-playing life can be. He moved from his six world titles to become a DJ performing at Glastonbury and supporting Blur at Wembley [25]. All the same, he keeps his snooker ties through TV punditry [25].
Jimmy White's story stands out among active competitors. At 62 and in his 45th professional year, he adapted to challenges including an ADHD diagnosis that affected his focus [26]. His plan to play until 65 shows how sustainable snooker careers can be [26].
Players' performance ended up affected by declining eyesight, hand-eye coordination, and timing [22]. John Spencer's battle with myasthenia gravis made him see "three yellows" at once. Physical limits force even the most determined competitors to change their relationship with the sport [22].
What the data says about snooker player longevity
Statistical data reveals remarkable patterns about snooker players' career spans. The numbers tell an amazing story that makes this precision sport stand out from others.
Snooker perfect 147 and its statistical rarity
A maximum break in snooker represents the highest achievement possible. Players must pot all 15 reds with blacks and then all six colors. The 1980s saw only eight recognized maximums. The numbers grew steadily: 26 in the 1990s, 35 in the 2000s, and 86 in the 2010s [10]. The 2020s have already produced 76 maximum breaks with several years left [10].
Ronnie O'Sullivan broke the age record for a maximum break twice. He achieved this during the 2025 Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters semi-final at 49 years and 253 days old [10]. At the other end of the spectrum, Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon holds the record as the youngest professional. He compiled a 147 at just 16 years and 312 days [10].
Longevity trends among top players
The "Class of 92" leads the longevity statistics. These players turned professional that year and have competed against each other for over 28 years [27]. John Higgins stands out with his remarkable consistency. He ranked in the top 10 for 22 out of 25 years between 1995-2019 [27].
O'Sullivan's achievements tell an incredible story. He became both the youngest and oldest winner of a major title, with 30 years between wins [28]. This record surpasses golf's greatest spans: Tiger Woods' 22 years and Jack Nicklaus' 23 years between their first and last majors [28].
Comparing living vs. deceased legends
Complex network analysis reveals John Higgins as the greatest snooker player ever, with Ronnie O'Sullivan in second place [27]. These findings challenge the traditional rankings based on World Championship wins. The conventional list puts Stephen Hendry (7), Steve Davis (6), and Ronnie O'Sullivan (6) at the top [27].
The early 1990s produced a golden generation of players with unmatched quality and staying power [29]. Their ongoing success creates significant barriers for younger players trying to make their mark [1].
Conclusion
Snooker sets itself apart from other competitive sports due to its players' amazing career longevity. This piece shows how the game's gentle nature lets players compete at elite levels for over three decades. Raw physical attributes take a back seat to technical skill and mental strength, unlike contact sports where injuries often cut careers short.
Players can handle the physical demands well across decades. The elite competitors understand this balance and develop training plans that emphasize quality over quantity. They know rest matters as much as practice time - a lesson Ronnie O'Sullivan learned when he changed his approach to extend his competitive prime.
Mental toughness plays an equally vital role. Players build psychological strength by planning multiple shots ahead while staying focused for hours. The sport's solitary nature creates substantial mental challenges that stay with players throughout their careers.
The sort of thing I love about snooker is how players rarely ever truly retire. Their bond with the green baize lasts long after their professional ranking days end. Fred Davis proved this with his incredible 63-year professional career. Jack Fitzmaurice took it further by turning pro at 53 and competing until 74.
A rare mix of factors creates this longevity you won't find in other sports. The game's physical accessibility combined with endless technical depth creates perfect conditions for decades-long competitive careers. Basketball players usually retire by their mid-30s, and tennis pros rarely play past 40. Yet snooker players can aim for half-century careers.
Snooker deserves recognition beyond just the skill it needs. The secrets elite players know - balancing practice with recovery, staying mentally sharp, and maintaining physical ability - let them chase their passion at the highest level for extraordinary periods. This makes snooker more than just a sport - it's a lifelong journey.
Key Takeaways
Elite snooker players enjoy remarkably long careers due to the sport's unique combination of low physical impact, high mental demands, and sustainable training practices that allow competition well into their 50s and beyond.
• Snooker's low-impact nature enables 30+ year careers - Unlike contact sports where players retire by mid-30s, 18 snooker professionals maintained active careers spanning over three decades from 1968-2020.
• Mental resilience trumps physical decline - Elite players develop cognitive strategies like pre-shot routines and mindfulness practices that maintain performance even as physical abilities gradually diminish with age.
• Quality practice beats quantity for longevity - Champions like Ronnie O'Sullivan discovered that structured rest and recovery (playing just 3-4 days weekly) actually improved performance more than daily intensive practice.
• Technical mastery provides lasting competitive edge - The deep technical knowledge developed over decades creates a foundation that persists, allowing players like Mark Williams to break records at age 50.
• Post-career engagement sustains lifelong connection - Many professionals never truly retire, continuing competitive play through senior years due to snooker's accessibility and the social fulfillment it provides.
The data reveals that snooker's perfect storm of mental challenge, physical sustainability, and technical depth creates ideal conditions for extraordinary career longevity - making it one of the few sports where athletes can legitimately pursue half-century competitive careers.
References
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