While John Higgins reached the last four in Sheffield and the final of the Masters this term, O’Sullivan’s win at Alexandra Palace in January 2024 was the most recent occasion that a member of the sport’s fabled ‘Class of 92’ won a Triple Crown event.
“There is a finite amount of time that a player can perform at the optimum level,” said Ferguson.
“There is now a lot more talent chasing them and a lot more talent that’s capable of winning. We’ve seen a big shift in the younger players. What we’re seeing now is multiple players that can actually beat the ‘Class of 92’ and go all the way.”
Liu echoed those comments, adding: “He’s almost 30 years younger than those guys so I think we’re definitely witnessing a change of era.
“A lot of players have already predicted Zhao will be the one who is in the dominant position in the next 10 years or so, but if Wu continues to grow in the next two or three years, he can up there together with Zhao.”
However, it should be noted that English duo Mark Selby and Kyren Wilson, between them, hold five world titles and have won five tournaments this season, including the two other Triple Crown events – the UK Championship and the Masters.