Let’s be honest—if you want a list of the greatest snooker players to ever pick up a cue, you ask The Rocket. And, lucky for us, Ronnie O’Sullivan just did the honors, naming his top five snooker players ever in an interview with the Mirror. It’s like getting a masterclass from Mozart on who wrote the best symphonies, but with more waistcoats and chalk dust. So grab a cuppa, because this list is pure gold—and it might just make your day a little more fun.
The Rocket’s Own Unstoppable Career
First, a quick reality check: O’Sullivan himself is arguably the most naturally gifted player the game has ever seen. But instead of crowning himself king (which he absolutely could), he paid tribute to the legends who came before and alongside him. That’s the kind of sportsmanship that reminds us humility is a superpower, even when you’re the fastest cue in the West.
He didn’t just rattle off names—he gave us a masterclass in respect for the craft.
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So, who did Ronnie pick? His number one was the great Stephen Hendry—the man with seven World Championships and a record that looks like it was typed by a toddler on a sugar rush. Hendry’s dominance in the 1990s was so complete, he made snooker look like a video game on easy mode.
Coming in second is Steve Davis, the original “interesting” genius who turned potting balls into an art form. Davis won six world titles and was so consistent he made other players want to cry—politely, of course. Third on the list? Ray Reardon, the six-time world champion who brought elegance and a bit of Welsh charm to the baize.
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For fourth, Ronnie picked John Higgins, a wizard of safety play who could make a snooker from a phone booth. And rounding out the top five is Mark Selby, the Jester from Leicester, whose mental toughness is so legendary he probably out-psyched his own shadow. That’s a top five you can take to the bank—or at least to a pub debate.
Why This List Matters (Even If You Don’t Play Snooker)
You might be thinking, “I can’t even tell a cue ball from a pool ball—why should I care?” Here’s the twist: this list is a blueprint for greatness in any field. Each of these players mastered something different: Hendry had raw power, Davis had precision, Reardon had style, Higgins had cunning, and Selby had resilience.
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It’s a reminder that there’s no single path to being amazing—you just have to find your superpower and polish it until it blinds everyone. And that’s kind of inspiring, isn’t it? Whether you’re baking cakes, coding apps, or just trying to nail your morning routine, you can borrow a little bit of each player’s mindset.
How to Make Snooker Fun for You
Snooker is way more entertaining when you watch it like this—as a battle of personalities, not just colors and angles. Next time you see a match, imagine you’re watching a chess game where the pieces are on fire and the players are trying to out-psych each other. Suddenly, a simple “pot” becomes a tiny drama of nerves and glory.
Ronnie O'Sullivan names his top five snooker players of all time
Or better yet, grab a friend and try playing a frame at your local club. You don’t need to be good—you just need to laugh at your own misses and celebrate the one shot that actually clips a ball. That’s the secret to any hobby: joy over perfection.
An Uplifting Note to End
Ronnie O’Sullivan sharing his top five is a beautiful pause in a chaotic world—a moment to appreciate greatness without ego. It shows that even the best are forever students of the game, always learning and respecting old masters. And that’s a lesson we can all carry into our own lives.
So go ahead: dive into this list. Watch a Hendry highlight reel, marvel at Selby’s concentration, or just read the full Mirror interview online. You’ll come away feeling inspired to master your own craft, whatever it is. Because if The Rocket can take time to celebrate others, we can certainly take a moment to celebrate our own progress—one joyful, unpredictable shot at a time.
