Jimmy White has a better-informed opinion than most on who is the greatest snooker player of all time.
The Whirlwind was a World Championship runner-up on six occasions, won 10 ranking titles, including the UK Championship, and also claimed the Masters crown in 1984. Still playing on the World Snooker Tour at the age of 62, White doubles up as a Eurosport pundit.
He has had the privilege of playing against and observing the sport’s all-time greats and has addressed the age-old debate over who is the best ever. In a segment for Eurosport in 2023, he placed close pal and seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan at the top of the list, just ahead of Scottish hero Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis.
White said: “Ronnie O’Sullivan [is] for sure the GOAT, greatest of all time. Seven world titles, seven UK titles, seven Masters titles, more than 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.”
The Rocket, 49, has won both the UK Championship and Masters again since then, but there are question marks over his future at the top level following a string of tournament withdrawals on medical grounds.
White ranked Hendry, another seven-time world champion, second on his list. Four of those victories were against White, who admitted: “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.”
Speaking about Davis, 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.”
Following that esteemed top three were Mark Selby, Mark Williams, Alex Higgins, John Higgins, Ray Reardon, White himself and Joe Davis. If asked to compile the list now, White might consider including Judd Trump, who currently leads the world rankings.
This year alone, Trump has clinched the £500,000 Saudi Arabia Masters and secured his second UK Championship title.
Jimmy White’s snooker top 10
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