Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan has delivered a candid assessment of the current state of the game, ranking his rivals into three distinct tiers and humbly placing himself in the lowest category. The Rocket, who last won a ranking title in January 2024, believes the sport's incredibly high standard is preventing any single player from achieving true dominance.
O'Sullivan's Three-Tier Snooker Hierarchy
In a revealing interview, the 49-year-old pinpointed who he considers the world's best. Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson, the current world number one and two, occupy the top tier in O'Sullivan's view. "I think you've probably got, at the moment, you've got three tiers," O'Sullivan stated. "You've got Judd and Kyren, they're probably the best two players in the world."
He suggested that former world champions Neil Robertson and Mark Selby could be considered alongside them due to strong seasons, but maintained that Trump and Wilson are the clear standouts. The second tier, according to the seven-time world champion, includes Robertson, Selby, Mark Williams, and possibly John Higgins.
In a moment of striking self-assessment, O'Sullivan assigned himself to the third level. "Then you've got your third tier, which would probably be me, [Barry] Hawkins, Ding [Junhui]," he said. He did note that Shaun Murphy's recent form might currently elevate him to the second group.
Consistency is Key for Rising Stars
O'Sullivan also discussed the potential of world champion Zhao Xintong, a player he admires but feels needs time to develop consistency. "Zhao, I'd probably put him in the third tier with me," O'Sullivan explained. "He hasn't done it enough consistently, I suppose. I think he needs to have a good two, three years consistently performing at the highest level for that to happen."
He emphasised that while the Chinese star possesses immense talent, proving it over a sustained period is the true challenge. This season has been notably unpredictable, with 11 different winners from the first 11 tournaments, a streak that surprisingly does not include Judd Trump.
Mentoring the Next Generation
The snooker icon also revealed his recent role as a mentor to young Chinese player Wu Yize, who went on to win the International Championship. O'Sullivan shared the advice he gave, echoing lessons he once learned from legend Ray Reardon.
"I was just telling him certain areas of his game that I think he needs to improve on if he wants to be a winner," O'Sullivan said. He stressed the importance of being able to "steady the ship" and play tactically to win even when not at your brilliant best.
He tipped Wu as a future dominant force, stating: "If he's able to do that, he could become a dominant player in the sport. He's that good." This mentorship highlights O'Sullivan's evolving role within snooker, even as he navigates his own period without silverware since March 2024.
O'Sullivan's analysis paints a picture of a sport in a highly competitive era, where the gaps between the best are minimal. His personal ranking, placing the sport's most iconic figure in its third tier, is a testament to the depth of talent currently on the World Snooker Tour.
