'I've coached Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams - this is what makes them so special'

 EXCLUSIVE: Respected snooker coach Lee Walker on what makes Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams and John Higgins such special talents.

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams are still going strong after more than 30 years at the top level

Thirty-three years since Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams and John Higgins turned professional, they remain towering presences in the game. All three have had their issues this season, with the Rocket only confirming his participation at the World Championship on the eve of the tournament after barely playing competitively over the last four months.

Williams’ eyesight is fading to such an extent that he described himself as “half blind” recently. Higgins dropped out of the top 16, albeit only briefly, for the first time in almost 30 years before a resurgence saw him claim two ranking titles ahead of the Crucible. Williams recently turned 50, while Higgins and O’Sullivan follow suit later this year. Still, it would be foolish to write off the trio, who are all in action during a blockbuster weekend of second-round action in Sheffield.

Lee Walker, a former World Seniors champion, has had the honour of coaching Williams for many years and, more recently, O’Sullivan. He says the trio’s desire to keep improving has been just as vital as their immense talent over the years.

“When you talk about the ‘Class of 92’, to still be playing the snooker that they’re playing, winning tournaments, it shows you how good they are, because the standard now is so high,” said Walker, 49, a former Crucible quarter-finalist, who turned pro a couple of years after the trio.

“They are legends of the sport, they’re special talents. Back when they came through, you knew they were different from everyone else. You get in every sport. It was like in tennis when you had Djokovic, Nadal and Federer.

“I know Ronnie has won a lot more, but in the early days, they were spurring each other on and wanted to beat each other. I think they’re more friends now than rivals.

John Higgins and Williams have numerous memorable battles over the years (Image: Getty)

“They’re just incredible players who are always looking to better themselves. You see a lot of players who don’t really get any better. They tend to do the same things all the time.

“If things aren’t working and you’re doing exactly the same thing, you can’t expect things to change. But these guys are always looking for something, even when they’re at the top of the game.

“That’s one of the reasons they’ve stayed at the top for so long. As soon as something new comes along [like a new practice technique], they’re looking into it to see if it can help them with their game. They don’t rest on their laurels. To be at the top of the game for 30 years is incredible.”

While Walker only started working with O’Sullivan in the last few months, his association with Williams goes back decades. He recalled: “The first tournament I ever entered was the Welsh Under-16s. My dad took me, and there was this funny-looking, tall, skinny kid playing on the next table, potting everything in sight.

Lee Walker has been worked with O'Sullivan in recent months (Image: Getty)

“My dad tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘He’s very good’. And that was Mark. We’ve been friends ever since.”

They began working together after Walker dropped off the tour. Walker was in Williams’ corner for his memorable 2018 World Championship final victory over Higgins. The three-time Crucible king has openly admitted to barely practising these days, but there is no chance of his coach cracking the whip.

“I can say that all I want, but I can’t tell you the words he would use!” laughed Walker. Besides, spending a full day on the practice table wouldn’t necessarily lead to better results

Walker (left) with Williams after his 2018 World Championship final win over Higgins (Image: Getty)

“I can remember practising with him when we were young and he would be practising 10 hours a day,” said Walker. “Even a few years ago, when he dropped down the rankings to about 48th in the world provisionally, he would be spending 10 hours a day in the club [practising].

“Now, he couldn’t do that anymore, even if he wanted to. If he was in the club five days a week for three hours a day, that would be fantastic. At the moment, we’re nowhere near that.

“But when he’s actually at the tournament, he tries to practice as much as possible. Whereas for most players, their practice is done when they get to the venue and think just half an hour is enough, he can have three hours on the table the day before he plays. He's still had a great season so don't write him off.