### Ronnie O’Sullivan Hails Mark Williams as ‘Most Gifted’ After Historic World Snooker Final Appearance
Renowned snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has paid glowing tribute to fellow veteran Mark Williams, lauding the Welshman’s unrivalled adaptability and craftsmanship following Williams’s feat in reaching the 2025 World Snooker Championship final at the Crucible. Williams, now aged 50, etched his name in snooker history as the oldest ever finalist at the iconic Sheffield venue, further solidifying his status as one of the game’s enduring greats, even as he narrowly fell to China’s Zhao Xintong in a gripping encounter.
Williams’s journey to this year’s final was nothing short of remarkable. The seasoned pro navigated past multiple elite contenders, including a memorable clash with Judd Trump and a thrilling semi-final against fellow ‘Class of ‘92’ stalwart John Higgins. Though he ultimately succumbed 18-12 to Zhao, Williams displayed a formidable fight, staging a spirited comeback in the final session to claw back to within five frames before Zhao secured the title.
The Welshman’s graceful performance, especially at his age, has drawn praise from all corners of the snooker world—none more so than from Ronnie O’Sullivan, widely regarded as one of snooker’s most gifted cueists. O’Sullivan, who has battled alongside Williams since both men turned professional in the early 1990s, spoke candidly last year about Williams’s extraordinary levels of talent and his seamless transition between different cue sports.
Reflecting on Williams’s remarkable adaptability, O’Sullivan shared an anecdote on ITV Sport that underscored his compatriot’s natural ability. “He’d been out in China playing pool, using heavy balls for about a week, then comes back and switches immediately back to snooker with no visible drop in performance,” O’Sullivan recalled. “Most players would struggle massively after that, but not Mark. You shouldn’t be allowed that much skill. That’s how much talent he has.”
While Williams fell short of a fourth world title, with Zhao—himself a compelling story after returning from a suspension resulting from betting breaches—claiming the championship in an 18-12 victory, the Welshman’s resilience was on full display. Zhao surged ahead from the outset, building a commanding 7-1 advantage and later extending the margin to 15-7. Even entering the last session down 17-8, Williams refused to capitulate, mounting a late fightback that momentarily suggested a miracle could be in the making, before ultimately bowing out with dignity.
O’Sullivan was keen to emphasise Williams’s consistency in recent years, rating it higher than that of any other player in the sport. “I think Mark’s been the most consistent player over the last five years,” O’Sullivan remarked. “It’s not just about winning—his worst days are still at a level most can only aspire to. The quality and crispness of his striking, the sound as the balls leave his cue, is just immaculate.”
The Rocket went so far as to challenge prevailing views on snooker’s pecking order of talent, declaring Williams to be the most naturally gifted player he has ever witnessed. “People say I’m the most naturally talented, but I think it’s Mark. His bravery, his intelligence around the table, and some of the creative shots he pulls off, put him right up there with the likes of Jimmy White. He’s simply on another level.”
Despite having been eclipsed by younger talents and new faces in the sport, Williams’s sustained excellence late into his career has proved inspirational. His refusal to fade quietly as he approaches his fifth decade at the top, coupled with endorsements like O’Sullivan’s, continues to capture the imagination of snooker fans.
In an era where snooker faces challenges in attracting new audiences and growing the sport on a global scale, the narratives of veterans such as Williams and O’Sullivan remain a vital part of the sport’s unique character and enduring appeal.
As the curtain falls on another memorable Crucible showdown, there is a growing sense both inside and outside the game that, for snooker, legends like Williams are both icons to be celebrated and inspiring examples to new generations of players. With O’Sullivan among his staunchest admirers, Mark Williams’s legacy as one of the sport’s most exceptional characters appears more secure than ever.