Ronnie O’Sullivan blames his expletive-filled outburst on his ‘heat of the moment’ emotions but expresses regret over his reaction.
The seven-time world champion clinched a record eighth Masters title last January when he beat Carter to a tightly contested 10-7 victory at Alexandra Palace.
After the game, the pair exchanged heated words.
The crowd was firmly behind O’Sullivan, leading Carter to lash out, describing them as ‘morons’ who ‘haven’t got enough brains.’
He even accused O’Sullivan of ‘snotting’ on the floor, a claim that added fuel to the fire.
The Rocket, meanwhile, ferociously hit back, saying: “He needs to sort his f*****g life out.
“I’m not going to skirt around it anymore, tip-toeing on eggshells around someone like that. He’s a f*****g nightmare.”
Now, a year later, the 49-year-old has acknowledged his outburst was unwise but emphasised there’s no lingering animosity between them.
“It’s just heat of the moment stuff,” O’Sullivan admitted. “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.”
The 2024 encounter was not the first time this pair failed to see eye-to-eye.
In 2013, O’Sullivan sparked a conversation about ‘burnout’ in snooker, revealing he was feeling ‘tired and jaded’ after a year away from the game.
After losing 13-8 to O’Sullivan in the second round, Carter took a jab at his opponent’s excuses, claiming that luck had favoured him.
The tensions also escalated during the infamous ‘barge-gate’ incident at the 2018 World Championship in Sheffield.
O’Sullivan pushed Carter in the ribs and snapped, “That’s for being Mr Angry.”
The two exchanged heated words as Carter achieved an unexpected victory in the last 16, marking one of the few wins in his 26 encounters against O’Sullivan up to that point.
The 49-year-old has proudly claimed a remarkable eight Masters titles and an incredible eight UK Championship titles.
Bringing his total to a breathtaking 23 Triple Crown titles—the most ever achieved by any player.
With an impressive record of 41 ranking titles, he has not only shattered expectations but also consistently held the top rank multiple times.
Carter will return to Alexandra Palace on Sunday when the Masters begins but on Friday afternoon O’Sullivan shared some surprising news.
The snooker icon has withdrawn from the Masters ‘on medical grounds’ just 48 hours before the event.
O’Sullivan will be replaced by two-time Masters champion Neil Robertson, who was ranked 17th at the seeding cut-off, and the Australian will now face John Higgins on Sunday afternoon instead.
A short statement on the World Snooker Tour website, read: “Neil Robertson has replaced Ronnie O’Sullivan in the draw for the upcoming Johnstone’s Paint Masters.
“Last year’s champion O’Sullivan was due to face John Higgins in the opening match on Sunday afternoon, but has withdrawn on medical grounds.
“Higgins will now face Robertson, who was ranked in 17th position at the seeding cutoff after the Victorian Plumbing UK Championship.”
The snooker icon was coming off a disappointing performance at the Championship League, where he withdrew from the competition after losing four out of five matches.
In his final game, a series of bizarre moments, including an apparent lewd gesture and striking his cue on the table, overshadowed his 3-2 loss to Robert Milkins.