Ali Carter Opens Up on Ronnie O'Sullivan Feud
Ali Carter has shed new light on his long-running feud with Ronnie O'Sullivan, revealing how a teenage friendship at Witham Snooker Bowl in Essex unravelled once the pair began competing on the main tour. Speaking on the Talking Snooker podcast, Carter explained that the animosity stemmed from O'Sullivan's changed demeanour at tournaments. "We used to practise together as a 17-year-old... We played every single day," Carter said. "But when we went to tournaments, he wasn't really the same towards me." Carter, who credits O'Sullivan with helping him win the 1999 Benson & Hedges Championship, admitted he likely took the coldness personally. "If he can't be bothered to talk to me, then I can't be bothered to talk to him," he added.
Shoulder Barge and Soured Reconciliation
The rivalry has produced several flashpoints, most notably a shoulder barge during their 2018 World Championship match at the Crucible and an ill-tempered 2024 Masters final. Carter recalled that after the 2018 incident, O'Sullivan apologised at a York hotel: "He said, 'Listen, I'm really sorry about what happened in Sheffield'." But relations deteriorated again, leaving Carter to conclude: "We're not fine, there's no relationship there, there's no hate, there's no nothing." He also revealed that O'Sullivan's father, Ronnie Sr., made an unexpected phone call during his cancer treatment, offering unconditional support—a gesture Carter still appreciates.
Champion of Champions Lifeline for O'Sullivan
Meanwhile, O'Sullivan has been handed a potential route into November's Champion of Champions, despite not having won a professional title since March 2024. The 16-player invitational event, won last year by Mark Selby, has 14 places already secured. Two remaining spots will be decided at the Shenzhen Open and Northern Ireland Open. If any of the 14 already-qualified players win those events, the next eligible player is the winner of the 2026 World Seniors Championship—Ronnie O'Sullivan.
The Rocket made his debut at the Seniors event at the Crucible in May and won it, keeping alive his hopes of appearing in Leicester. The World Seniors Championship was not initially included in the qualifying schedule but has featured since 2019, and the schedule was subject to change. With other events like the Saudi Arabia Masters dropping off and the China Open returning, O'Sullivan's chances remain slim but real.
What It Means for Snooker's Biggest Draw
O'Sullivan's potential inclusion would be a significant boost for the Champion of Champions, which relies on star power to attract audiences. Despite his recent lack of titles, the seven-time world champion remains the sport's biggest box-office attraction. His presence would add intrigue, especially given his ongoing rivalry with Carter—though the two would not necessarily meet unless drawn together.
A Rivalry That Still Simmers
Carter's latest comments add fresh context to one of snooker's most enduring personal battles. The pair have met 29 times, with O'Sullivan winning 25, but the matches have often been overshadowed by their off-table tension. Carter insists the hatred is no longer there, yet the absence of any relationship speaks volumes. For O'Sullivan, the focus remains on the table, where a surprise qualifying route could see him back on a big stage—and perhaps face Carter once more.
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