At The Sportsman we have got out the crystal ball and had a go at predicting snooker’s top 10 in a decade’s time. Will the likes of former world champion Judd Trump and Masters winner Yan Bingtao still be around and competing for all the big titles in 2032? Which of those younger players at the start of their careers will kick on and push themselves into the elite?
And who among the amateur prospects yet to taste life on tour could live up to the hype? And yes, for this one we have done what you should probably never do…finally written off the Class of 1992. Surely Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams couldn’t still be winning in their mid to late 50s. Could they?
Judd Trump ENG
Judd Trump’s 2019 world championship success was one of 23 ranking titles to date, and having only just turned 33 there is no reason why the Juddernaut should not remain at the top of the game for another decade. His sheer ability should see to that, and the only thing that might stand in the way is if the player himself tires of the tour treadmill and the practice required to stay at the summit.
Yan Bingtao CHI
Yan BIngtao has won big and early in his career, claiming the 2021 Masters title with that coming after success at the Riga Masters. Still only 22 and with an excellent all-round game that is designed to withstand the pressures of the biggest tournaments, it would be a major surprise if China’s Yan was not still a major factor in 10 years’ time.
Zhao Xintong CHI
Zhao Xintong took a long time to become an overnight sensation, having been tipped up by establishes stars since he knocked Ken Doherty out of the International Championship as a 15-year-old. When the title dam finally broke it was in spectacular fashion for the Chinese 25-year-old, as he almost immediately backed up a UK Championship win with victory at the German Masters.
Kyren Wilson ENG
A quick look at the increased longevity of high-class players these days is enough to assume that Kyren Wilson will still be a serious threat at the age of 40 in 2032. The Warrior’s tally of ranking titles is up to five, he has been in the final and two semis of the world championship, and his teak-tough brand of matchplay can be expected to bring him even greater glories in the next 10 years.
Luca Brecel BEL
The supremely talented Belgian Luca Brecel experienced wobbles in his early career, perhaps unable to cope with the spotlight and plaudits coming his way at such a young age after breaking through As a teenager. But last season the 27-year-old reached the final of the UK, won the Scottish Open and has already won the lower-key Championship League this season.
Dylan Emery WAL
Wales enjoys a proud tradition in snooker, and the principality is still unearthing gems. Dylan Emery, 21, is in his rookie season as a professional, having earned that place by becoming European Under-21 champion. As a top-up player last season at the Turkish Masters Emery impressively beat Alfie Burden 5-0, and then saw his potential hailed by John Higgins after a 5-2 loss in Antalya.
Wu Yize CHI
Currently aged just 18, China’s Wu Yize has already served notice of his talent and potential by reaching the quarter-finals of this season’s European Masters in Germany – beating Luca Brecel. In his second year on tour, Wu is up to a career-high world ranking of No67 and looks to have the ability and the temperament to kick on from there and challenge the very best.
Pang Junxu CHI
The 22-year-old from China won the 2021 ‘Rookie of the Season’ award and then managed to keep his place on tour won in 2020 in 2022, now up to a ranking of world No53. He has beaten the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Neil Robertson, and has earned plenty of respect on the circuit with a further climb up the rankings looking on the cards.
Liam Davies WAL
Amateur Liam Davies, 16, recently became the first player to win the world Under-16, Under-18 and Under-21 titles all in the same year. One of the young Welsh players fortunate enough to enjoy the mentoring of three-time world champion Mark Williams, Davies also became the youngest player to win a world championship match in qualifying back in April when he was just 15.
Stan Moody ENG
For a bit of a punt, we select 15-year-old amateur Stan Moody of England who as well as attracting attention for the quality of his snooker has drawn comparisons for a slight physical resemblance to a younger Shaun Murphy. Halifax's Murphy, who turns 16 in September 2022, won a game as a wildcard at the Shootout last season and has been tipped by Jimmy White as a future star. He is a former English U-14 champion.