'I'm a snooker champion who beat Ronnie O'Sullivan - I know who the best player ever is'

Kyren Wilson has named Ronnie O'Sullivan as the best world champion he's ever faced, as he snubbed the iconic Steve Davis out of his top five list. O'Sullivan has had a difficult 2025 and recently lost in the semi-finals of the to Zhao Xintong in a disappointing 17-7 defeat. Following this loss, the Englishman has to vacate the UK and head to the Middle East in order to "figure out what my future looks like", after struggles both on and off the table.

However, despite his recent issues in snooker, Wilson has named as his number one snooker player, beating the likes of Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, and Steve Davis, who was surprisingly left out of the list. The current world champion, who this year lost in the first round to debutant Lei Peifan, spoke to the Sporting Life 12 months ago about who believes are the greatest to have played the game.

Wilson was adamant about his top five, praising Mark Selby in particular for his "fantastic" match play at the Crucible, while also naming Mark Williams instead of six-time world champion Davis.

The 33-year-old said: "I'd go Ronnie O'Sullivan number one. I didn't play Stephen so much, so I'm going to put John Higgins in number two just because I've experienced just how tough of a player he is.

"I'd then go with Stephen Hendry number three. Mark Selby number four. He has a great recent record here, fantastic match player, kind of suits this tournament doesn't he? And then I'll go number five as Mark Williams."

When asked why he left out the "legendary Steve", Wilson was clear that he was basing this list off of who he's played the most - and not just an overview of who had won the most titles. He added: "Yeah, again I've not had much experience playing Steve.

"I'm going off my knowledge and what I've had to experience. I think back when Steve was winning, although he was a fantastic champion, maybe the standard wasn't as high as it is now.

"And you know, those guys I've just mentioned, they're still doing it now when the standard is at its highest."