Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis - Jimmy White ranks top 10 snooker players of all time

Updated 16/04/2023 at 19:32 GMT

In some sports, the debate rages on who is the greatest of all time. Lionel Messi? Cristiano Ronaldo? Opinions differ, but many observers of snooker feel that seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan is the GOAT. Jimmy White is of that opinion, and he had his say about how the rest are ordered below 'The Rocket'. Stream the World Championship on discovery+, the Eurosport app and eurosport.com.

'He makes the game look so easy' - White ranks top 10 snooker players of all-time

Ronnie O’Sullivan is widely viewed as the greatest snooker player of all time, and Jimmy White has concurred by placing him top of his snooker GOAT list.

White is front and centre of Eurosport’s coverage as the stars of world snooker battle it out at the Crucible for the World Championship.

And away from the action, 'The Whirlwind' was given the job of blind ranking a pre-selected list of 10 snooker players - one that included himself - who are widely considered to be in the conversation for being the greatest of all time.

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Here is how White's list looks...

JIMMY WHITE'S TOP 10 SNOOKER PLAYERS OF ALL TIME

1. Ronnie O'Sullivan
2. Stephen Hendry
3. Steve Davis
4. Mark Selby
5. Mark Williams
6. Alex Higgins
7. John Higgins
8. Ray Reardon
9. Jimmy White
10. Joe Davis

And here is The Whirlwind with his reasoning...

1. O'SULLIVAN

“Ronnie O’Sullivan for sure the GOAT, greatest of all time," White said. "Seven world titles, seven UK titles, seven Masters titles, more that 1,200 centuries so far in his career.

“Why he’s so good is because he makes the game look so easy. That is why Ronnie O’Sullivan is the greatest of all time.”

2. HENDRY

“Stephen Hendry, seven-time world champion,” White said. “I should have won at least two of them. The other two, he completely outplayed me.

“A great champion, five-time Masters champion on the trot.

“He got into his own bubble and nothing fazed him. I have got to put him slightly in front of Steve Davis.”

3. STEVE DAVIS

“Steve Davis, six-time world champion,” White said. “For me, the hardest player in my career to beat. Fantastic player, fantastic long potter, fantastic temperament, great under pressure.

“I will put Steve Davis high up, as he is one of the greatest of all time.”

4. SELBY

"Mark Selby, what a match player,” White said. You never know when you’ve got him. He never knows when he is beaten. Gives it 100% every shot, a fantastic tactician and a great scorer. When he’s playing his best, he is very difficult to beat.”

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5. WILLIAMS

White said: “Mark Williams, three times a world champion. One of the greatest potters I have ever seen, another great temperament.”

6. ALEX HIGGINS

White said: "Alex Higgins, 'The Hurricane'. He made snooker famous.

“When I was a kid he was my hero. A fantastic shot-maker, the first sportsman to bring a baby on the TV - everybody does it now. Everyone loved watching him play.”

7. JOHN HIGGINS

White said: “John Higgins, four times champion of the world. The best clearer-upper from 60 behind the game has ever seen, so much bottle.”

John Higgins

Image credit: Getty Images

8. REARDON

White said: “Ray Reardon, six times world champion. An absolute gentleman. He has a lot to say for Ronnie O’Sullivan’s success, as he taught him to enjoy the tactical side of the game.

“An awesome player.”

9. WHITE

“I'm happy to be in the frame,” White said.

10. JOE DAVIS

“Joe Davis, I never really saw him play,” White said. “In his era, a great champion.”

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