In the past 5 years the likes of Wright, MVG, Price, Smith, Clayton etc have looked like they would dominate- in hindsight they just find a patch of form that makes them unplayable- but it seems to fizzle out after a few tournaments. As you say, its very likely lifestyle plays a part.
Ive read a couple of biographys- Shane Burgess/Colin Lloyd stood out - admittedly these were the days of less money and Taylor hoovering everything up but the lifestyle sounded a bit shit.
Littler may simply win a couple of big tournaments and jack it in with a few million in the bank before he's 18