KYREN WILSON has told snooker’s Class of 92 legends that winning titles is a lot harder these days.
The reigning world champion believes he’s enjoyed success in the sport’s toughest era.
Wilson followed up his Crucible success with the Xi’an Grand Prix, Northern Ireland Open and German Masters this season.
And the 33-year-old believes the competition is far more fierce now compared to when Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins ruled the roost.
He told SportsBoom: “It’s a lot more difficult now to win titles, it’s a different era to when Ronnie and John were battling each other.
“Nowadays you’re getting lower-ranked players respectively beating the top players.
“Just look at Wu Yize when he got to the English Open final earlier this season, beating the likes of Judd Trump and giving Neil Robertson a scare in the final.
“The young Chinese players, in particular, are so hungry and determined to be successful.
“And there’s just so many more and more coming through, you’ve just got to keep on top of your game, keep working hard and at times put snooker first.”
Many consider the Class of 92’s halcyon days as snooker‘s golden era.
O’Sullivan, Higgins and fellow class member Mark Williams hold 14 world titles between them.
Each born in a different British home nation in 1975, the trio have amassed 98 ranking titles and 39 Triple Crown wins.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D107322%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /] [bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Kyren Wilson shares romantic spaghetti date with Snooker World Championship trophy before he’s forced to return it ” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6368991727112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]But the huge amount of emerging talent has fuelled debate over the competitive side of snooker now compared to 20 years ago.
Meanwhile, O’Sullivan withdrew from his sixth tournament in three months this week.
The Rocket, 49, will not travel to Yushan, China for the World Open after pulling out for medical reasons.
The sport’s greatest player had been due to face Stuart Carrington in the opening round this Sunday.
But instead he will be replaced by Daniel Womersley, the highest-ranked available player on the 2024 Q School Order of Merit.
It is the sixth event that O’Sullivan has not played in since he lost his grip on the UK Championship in York in November.
The world No.4 chose not to play in the Shoot Out, Scottish Open, Masters, German Masters and last week’s Welsh Open.