There have been many outstanding players to play the game of snooker, which is a tough art to master. Played internationally, the craze of the game is something to experience for those who have never been a part of it. Let’s look the top 10 snooker players of all time.
Names – Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Ray Reardon, John Higgins, Mark Selby, Mark Williams, John Spencer, Alex Higgins, Jimmy White
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN
Ronnie O’Sullivan established himself as the greatest of all time in 2020 when he got hold of his sixth crown by defeating Kyren Wilson in the World Championship final. Though his number of World Championships is second to Stephen Hendry’s seven, The Rocket has to his name more ranking titles and Triple Crowns, more 147s, and more centuries than anyone else in the pro era.
STEPHEN HENDRY
As far as the number of World Titles are concerned, Hendry tops the list with seven. He won all of his titles between 1990 and 1999, which is an extraordinary feat. His first World Title now dates thirty years back, when he was just 21 years of age, which also saw him become the youngest World Champion – a record that remains intact to this day.
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STEVE DAVIS
Davis is regarded as the most impressive snooker player of the 1980s as his professionalism gave him the edge over other talented players of that time. Davis appeared for a record 30th Crucible appearance at the age of 52 in 2010 and got the better of John Higgins, who was the reigning World Champion back then. Davis is also the only snooker player to be named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
RAY REARDON
Reardon is a six-time World Champion who has won the crown at six different venues. He last won the World Title in 1978 at the Crucible when he defeated Perrie Mans. The win marked his name in the record books as the oldest player (45) to win the World Championship. The Welshman was also the former coach of Ronnie O’Sullivan, who holds the former responsible for teaching him the game of snooker.
JOHN HIGGINS
Higgins is a four-time World Champion, with three of them achieved in different decades. Though he lost three Crucible finals between 2017 and 2019, there are many who are of the opinion that Higgins deserves more than he has received. The 147 he won at the 2020 event behind closed doors is regarded as one of the sport’s most memorable exploits.
MARK SELBY
Selby is highly praised for his incredible mental strength and has been the player of the past decade without a shadow of a doubt. During that span, he scalped three World Titles, which included a comeback win against O’Sullivan in the 2014 final. He was ranked No. 1 for ten years (2010-2020), a reign that lasted more than anyone else’s.
MARK WILLIAMS
Williams is best known for his vow of stripping naked if he won in 2018, when he thought he wouldn’t win the World Championship final. But the victory, which marked his third World Title grab, was followed by the player honoring his vow at the final press conference. He was so stunned at his own performance that he carried out the celebrations for the following twelve months.
JOHN SPENCER
In 1969, Spencer emerged as the winner of the first world professional title at his first attempt as the competition reverted to an open format. The Lancashire man, who died in 2006, is best remembered for his legendary rivalry with Reardon in the 1970s. He was unfortunate to not have his 147 break at the Holsten International in 1979 televised, as the camera crew had went to the local McDonald’s for a meal.
ALEX HIGGINS
Alex Higgins is nicknamed the People’s Champion, and many feel that he should be regarded as the greatest of all time. His artistry was something special and had never been seen before, and his most memorable World Title win came in 1982 when he compiled a 135 break. The legend passed away in 2010, at the age of 61.
JIMMY WHITE
Jimmy is the only player in this list who never won a World Title. He suffered six World Championship final defeats, including four at the hands of Hendry. The favorite player of the late Queen Mother, White won the World Seniors Title the Crucible at the age of 58.
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