‘Modern day Steve Davis’ – Ronnie O’Sullivan tips breakthrough snooker star, 22, to become world number one imminently.

‘Modern day Steve Davis’ – Ronnie O’Sullivan tips breakthrough snooker star, 22, to become world number one imminently.

 

Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has heaped high praise on rising Chinese cueist Wu Yize, predicting that the 22-year-old has what it takes to become world number one within the next three years. O’Sullivan’s glowing assessment marks one of the most striking endorsements from one of the sport’s greatest ever players and highlights the growing impact of Chinese talent on the global snooker stage.

Wu first turned heads in the professional ranks by clinching his first ranking title at last November’s International Championship, where he stunned four-time world champion John Higgins in the final. The victory was a defining moment for Wu, establishing him not only as a winner on the big stage but as a potential long-term contender among snooker’s elite. Higgins, himself one of the sport’s most respected figures, labelled Wu a “total star” with a bright future.

But it was O’Sullivan’s tribute that grabbed headlines globally this week. Speaking ahead of the World Grand Prix event in Hong Kong, O’Sullivan said his time practising with Wu gave him a unique insight into the youngster’s potential. “I think Wu Yize is going to be world number one, I’d give him three years, definitely going to be world champion very, very soon,” O’Sullivan told reporters, describing Wu as a “phenomenal player.”

O’Sullivan went further, comparing Wu’s positional play to that of Steve Davis, the six-time world champion whose tactical brilliance helped define snooker in the 1980s. “His positional play for me is on the level of Steve Davis,” O’Sullivan said, adding that Wu’s cue power, scoring ability and all-around game were remarkable for someone so early in their career.

Wu’s rapid rise has coincided with increased visibility on the biggest stages. In January, he made his debut at the prestigious Masters, advancing to the semi-finals before falling narrowly 6-5 to eventual champion Kyren Wilson. That performance, coupled with his International Championship win, has propelled him to a career-high world ranking of 13th, a position that suggests he is already knocking on the door of the sport’s upper echelons.

O’Sullivan, a seven-time world champion and widely regarded as one of snooker’s greatest ever players, is no stranger to spotting exceptional talent. His endorsement of Wu brings added credibility to the young star’s prospects and underscores a broader shift in snooker’s competitive landscape. China has been steadily producing top talent in recent years, and players like Wu are now challenging the long-established dominance of British and European professionals.

With the World Grand Prix looming and the rest of the 2026 season still ahead, Wu will look to build on his breakout success. If he continues on his current trajectory, the talk of him becoming a future world number one — backed by one of snooker’s icons — may soon become reality.