Snooker’s Next Generation: Pros Predict the โWorld’s Topโ Five by 2030
LONDON – The future of professional snooker is โฃa โขtopic of intense debate amongstโ current players,โ with a consensus emerging that breaking into the top five withinโฃ the nextโ five years will be an exceptionally tough feat. Established starsโฃ are predicted to maintain dominance,but rising talentsโข are also being โclosely watched as potential contenders for world rankings glory.
Theโ sport is currently witnessing a period โof โคsustained success for veteransโ like Ronnieโ O’Sullivan, but the โขquestion of who will succeed them at theโ pinnacleโ ofโข the game โis increasingly prominent. Fellow professionals acknowledge the challenge facing aspiring players hoping to disrupt โฃthe established order, suggesting a high barrier to entry for the โฃworld’s elite. โThisโ prediction comes โคas players navigate evolving strategies and increasedโ competition within the sport.
While โspecific namesโฃ varied amongst those surveyed, several players consistently appeared โin โpredictions for the 2030โฃ top five. Ronnie O’Sullivan,โฃ despiteโค his age, remainsโ widely expected to be a force,โ withโข many believing his longevity and skill will keep him โขcompetitive. Judd Trump alsoโฃ received numerous mentions, seen as a consistent performer โฃcapable of challenging โfor major titles.
Other names frequently โcited included Mark Allen, whose recent form hasโค been impressive, and Kyren Wilson, thoughโ Wilson’s family commitments were noted by some asโข potentially impacting his ability to fully dedicate himself โฃto theโฃ tour. A handful of players also highlighted the potential of emerging โtalents,โ with luca Brecel’s recent World Championship win demonstrating the possibility of a โrapid ascent to โthe top.
Stephen Hendry recentlyโข unearthedโ a throwback photo of O’Sullivan, highlighting the star’s enduring presenceโข inโค the sport. Simultaneously โoccurring, Stephen Maguire has called for changes โwithin โขsnooker, believing certain aspects of the game need to be addressed. These discussions underscore โคthe ongoing evolution of snooker and the challenges facingโ both established and emerging players.
