Ronnie O'Sullivan backs 'best player in the world' Mark Williams to be last man standing from Class of 92
Published 07/12/2025 at 18:10 GMT
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Snooker continues to benefit from the Class of 92 of Mark Williams, Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins. All three are in their 50s and in the twilight of their careers, but O’Sullivan feels Welsh great Williams has been the sport's best player in recent years. Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Masters, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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Ronnie O’Sullivan has said Mark Williams has been the best player in the current decade, and expects the Welsh great to be the last one standing from the Class of 92.
O’Sullivan, Williams and John Higgins all turned professional in 1992 and after enjoying spells of dominance, were given the moniker the Class of 92.
All three have spent time at world No. 1, and have amassed 39 Triple Crown titles between them.
O’Sullivan turned 50 on Friday to join his fellow Class of 92 stars in passing the landmark age barrier, and all three are inside the top 10 in the world.
Williams reached the World Championship final earlier in the year, losing to Zhao Xintong, and O’Sullivan feels the three-time Crucible champion’s consistency marks him down as the best player in the world.
"I think Mark Williams looks the best of us," O'Sullivan said on Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips channel. "I said the other day, I think over the last six years it is hard to argue he has probably been the best player in the world.
"If he wins Saudi [Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters final in 2024], he’s No. 1, he was one ball away from being No. 1 with the prize money.
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"He gets to the final of the World Championship. His draw was just the hardest draw ever. I think by the final he was gassed out.
"If you look at his consistency, it’s hard to say he’s not been the best player."
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Asked by Hendry who he thinks will be the last of the Class of 92 to retire, O’Sullivan said Williams.
"It will be me or John [who stops first]," O’Sullivan said.
"John is playing better. I think John just puts in the odd bad game and I don't think he can win if he plays bad, whereas Williams can. Williams can struggle and still get a result. He is a very clever player."
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O’Sullivan was asked which of the younger players in the game had caught his eye.
"Wu Yize, he looks very good," O’Sullivan said of this season’s International Championship winner. "He is a proper player.
‘He reminds me of a modern-day Steve Davis, positional play. I practised with him for three or four days in Hong Kong. After day two or three, I was thinking, ‘this kid, he’s got a gift’.
"Little shots around the black, he just always got perfect position. Perfect lines, naturally.
‘You [Hendry] was like that. Obviously, I watch you, he makes a difficult game quite easy sometimes.
"I love watching him play."
O’Sullivan also had words of praise for another Chinese player, Chang Bingyu.
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"He looks good," O’Sullivan said. "I played him in Saudi, I was lucky to beat him.
"I rate him quite a bit. I really think he’s good."
O’Sullivan was spotted by the TNT Sports cameras picking out balls for Polish teenager Michal Szubarczyk in Saudi Arabia, and he feels the 14-year-old has a big future.
"He was on the practice table and I was just in there trying out some tips. I saw him practising on his own and I spoke to his dad," O’Sullivan said. "His dad asked me to go and speak to him.
"Great talent, he reminds me of you [Hendry], that [cue] action was lovely, it was straight.
"He was very zoned in. He’s got a lot going for him."
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Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the Masters, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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