RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has some regrets over his part in last year’s Snotgate row with Ali Carter, admitting: Maybe I should have been more diplomatic.
The Rocket, 49, won a record-extending eighth Masters crown in January 2024 following a 10-7 victory over Carter, 45, in the final.
An explosive war of words occurred in the respective post-match press conferences, which was broken by SunSport the next day.
Carter alleged O’Sullivan cleared his nose – like a long-distance runner might do – on to the carpet while sitting in his chair during the final frames.
The Captain claimed the sport’s greatest player was “snotting all over the floor” and labelled it as “outrageous behaviour from a top professional”.
In response, O’Sullivan launched a furious X-rated rant, stuck up his middle finger in protest and stormed out of his press conference with family and friends trailing behind.
The seven-time world champion said: “He can sit on it as far as I’m concerned. I don’t give a f***.
“F***ing why has he got issues with me? I’m not having it. I don’t care, grow some balls. I don’t give a f***.
“The more he brings it on, the more I f***ing punish him every time. Absolutely. He’s just digging a grave for himself. He needs to sort his f***ing life out.”
A year on, and in preparation for his Masters defence this weekend, O’Sullivan was asked for his reflections of that episode, especially as they have met across the table since then.
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Asked if he could laugh about it all now, the Essex cueing maestro replied: “Yeah. It’s just heat of the moment stuff. If I feel like I’ve got to say something I’ll say it.
“It’s nothing personal, just heat of the moment stuff. He’s entitled to say what he’s got to say, like I am.
“Do I regret saying it? Probably.
“I wish I’d kept my mouth shut and been a bit more polished with my answers, a bit more diplomatic.
“But I’ve said what I’ve said and that’s fine. It’s only words innit?
“He goes back to his life, his family and I do. We only have to meet on the table, it’s not like we’re best mates but it’s fine, we’re both pretty grown up.”
O’Sullivan meets John Higgins – a fellow Class of ‘92 graduate – in the first round on Sunday afternoon over the best of 11 frames.
It’s nothing personal, just heat of the moment stuff. He’s entitled to say what he’s got to say, like I am.
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Yet he is not in great form and on Wednesday, he lost three out of four matches on his first appearance in this season’s Championship League Snooker.
On Thursday, he whacked the table with his cue in anger after losing 3-2 to Robert Milkins and then withdrew in disgust before facing Carter in a final group match.
It was reported that he threw his cue into the bin as his worries on the table continue.
FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.
The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it.
O’Sullivan has three children – two daughters and a son.
And the Rocket’s on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has also hit the headlines.
He has opened up on battles with his weight and addiction.
While the controversial cueist reckons he wasted NINE YEARS of his career by partying too hard.
Despite being worth £14million, O’Sullivan is renowned for his love of canal boats and snubbing flashy cars.
His rivalry with fellow star Judd Trump has been branded ‘snooker’s greatest feud’.
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their infamous ‘Snotgate’ row.
Check out all our latest Ronnie O’Sullivan articles.
