Judd Trump has backed Ronnie O’Sullivan to play into his 60s. The Rocket is the final member of the ‘Class of 92’ trio to turn 50 this year. He will enter his sixth decade on December 5, two days before the UK Championship final.

When it comes to O’Sullivan, the last couple of years have been dominated by talk over his future in the game. After a troubled 2024/25 season, he has embarked on a limited schedule this season, which appears to suit his new life in Dubai, where he has relocated to. Trump is delighted to see O’Sullivan still playing at a high level and believes he may still have a decade left at the top level. “Everyone is probably looking at Mark [Williams], John [Higgins] and Ronnie to see how long they can go,” said the world No.1 ahead of the UK Championship.

“Where is the line going to be drawn? I think that Ronnie will continue to be able to play until he is 60, in my opinion. I think he has 10 more years in the top 16 if he wants it. He scores so heavily.

“Every time you win a tournament, it gives you another two years of being in the top 16. Mark Williams has until at least 53 now. I can’t see them going away in the next 10 years.”

On the same theme, Trump told ITV during the Champion of Champions tournament:  “I think in sport nowadays you’re seeing people do what you didn’t think was possible maybe 10 or 15 years ago.

“People’s careers are going on more and more. The standard that the guys play at, they’re good enough to compete for the next 10, 15 years.

“The way the rankings work, if they’re able to win a tournament, then they’re safe for the next two years.” Trump, the defending UK champion, added: “John’s just got to the final of the last tournament [the International Championship], Mark’s already won a tournament [the Xi’an Grand Prix] this season.

“I think I’d be disappointed if I couldn’t play to a good level at 50, but I think those guys will probably go to 60, quite comfortably.

“It’s just whether they want to keep playing at that age. It depends. See where the money is, and they’ll decide from there, I think.”