Snooker world number ones
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Since the world rankings began in 1976 only seven players have held the number one position - Ray Reardon, Cliff Thorburn, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Mark J. Williams and Ronnie O'Sullivan. Additionally, it has been eighteen years since any player other than Hendry, (J) Higgins, Williams or O'Sullivan has held the top spot. Also, every former World number one has been a former World Champion, and only one - Mark J. Williams - has become World number one before winning the World Championship.
Alex Higgins would have been ranked number 1 in 1982/83 but had ranking points deducted as a result of disciplinary action.
The snooker players ranked number one in the world are listed below for each season since rankings began.
| Season | Name | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1976/77 | Ray Reardon | Wales |
| 1977/78 | Ray Reardon | Wales |
| 1978/79 | Ray Reardon | Wales |
| 1979/80 | Ray Reardon | Wales |
| 1980/81 | Ray Reardon | Wales |
| 1981/82 | Cliff Thorburn | Canada |
| 1982/83 | Ray Reardon | Wales |
| 1983/84 | Steve Davis | England |
| 1984/85 | Steve Davis | England |
| 1985/86 | Steve Davis | England |
| 1986/87 | Steve Davis | England |
| 1987/88 | Steve Davis | England |
| 1988/89 | Steve Davis | England |
| 1989/90 | Steve Davis | England |
| 1990/91 | Stephen Hendry | Scotland |
| 1991/92 | Stephen Hendry | Scotland |
| 1992/93 | Stephen Hendry | Scotland |
| 1993/94 | Stephen Hendry | Scotland |
| 1994/95 | Stephen Hendry | Scotland |
| 1995/96 | Stephen Hendry | Scotland |
| 1996/97 | Stephen Hendry | Scotland |
| 1997/98 | Stephen Hendry | Scotland |
| 1998/99 | John Higgins | Scotland |
| 1999/00 | John Higgins | Scotland |
| 2000/01 | Mark Williams | Wales |
| 2001/02 | Mark Williams | Wales |
| 2002/03 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | England |
| 2003/04 | Mark Williams | Wales |
| 2004/05 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | England |
| 2005/06 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | England |
| 2006/07 | Stephen Hendry | Scotland |
| 2007/08 | John Higgins | Scotland |
| 2008/09 | Ronnie O'Sullivan | England |
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