The Bitter Rivalry Reignited: O'Sullivan vs Carter at German Masters
Snooker heavyweights Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter are set to reignite their long-standing and deeply personal rivalry this Wednesday at the German Masters. The English competitors will face off in the round of 32 at Berlin's Tempodrom, a match that arrives amidst years of on-table clashes, off-table jibes, and public spats that have captivated the snooker world.
A Feud Forged in Practice Rooms
The origins of the animosity trace back to the early 2000s when O'Sullivan and Carter were practice partners. However, the simmering tension erupted into public view during their second-round match at the 2018 World Snooker Championship at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre. O'Sullivan emerged victorious with a 13-9 win, but the match is remembered for a notorious physical confrontation.
During the 20th frame, as the players crossed paths at the table, O'Sullivan appeared to intentionally shoulder barge Carter. Carter later described the incident in detail to Stephen Hendry on his Cue Tips YouTube channel, explaining his confusion and perception of deliberate aggression. "I was aware that we'd touched shoulders on the way past," Carter recounted, questioning the courtesy of O'Sullivan's movement. "The second time, he's given it that to me. I thought 'Oh, god, what's going on here?'"
Referee Paul Collier intervened to ease the tension, though O'Sullivan maintained he was "cool as a cucumber." Carter strongly disagreed, telling Hendry his opponent looked as if he "wanted to kill him" and appeared "absolutely raging." Carter accused O'Sullivan of using his authority to dominate the table, creating an unpleasant atmosphere for competition.
The Explosive 'Snot-Gate' Controversy
The feud remained relatively quiet for several years before exploding back into headlines during the 2024 Masters final at Alexandra Palace. While O'Sullivan triumphed 10-7 to secure his eighth Masters title, the aftermath was dominated by a bitter exchange that supporters and media dubbed 'snot-gate'.
Carter publicly criticised O'Sullivan for "snotting all over the floor" during the match, labelling the behaviour "disgusting" and "outrageous." O'Sullivan responded with a blistering attack during his post-match press conference, telling Carter to "sort his f***ing life out" and suggesting he needed counselling for his problems.
"He can sit on it as far as I'm concerned," O'Sullivan fumed. "I don't give a f***. You know what he's like, everybody knows what he's like. He's got issues... The more he brings it on, the more I f****** punish him every time." O'Sullivan described playing against Carter as "a nightmare" and claimed he leaves "not a nice vibe" around the table.
Several months later, O'Sullivan expressed regret over his comments, acknowledging they were "heat of the moment stuff" and wishing he had been "more polished" and "diplomatic." He maintained, however, that "it's only words" and that both players return to their separate lives between matches.
Brief Truce and Renewed Hostilities
When the 2025 World Snooker Championship draw pitted them against each other in the opening round, anticipation of further tension mounted significantly. O'Sullivan delivered a commanding 10-1 victory, yet what followed suggested a possible reconciliation. Carter hailed O'Sullivan as "the greatest player of all time," and The Rocket responded with similar respect, briefly appearing to resolve their dispute.
Unfortunately, the truce proved fleeting. Towards the end of 2025, Carter rekindled the feud with new comments before the UK Championship, revealing they were no longer speaking after O'Sullivan attempted to deny the shoulder barge incident despite having previously apologised for it.
"I don't really have a relationship with Ronnie," Carter told Bradford's Telegraph and Argus. "Listen, he gets out of bed differently every day, so how can you have that relationship? When he's alright, he's fine, but when he's not, he's not."
Carter explained the breakdown specifically: "I basically stopped talking to him because he apologised to me for the shoulder barge, then tried to say he hadn't. I remember the apology vividly... But then, before the match, Ronnie came up to me and said I was making it up that he'd apologised to me. After that, I just thought, 'What's the point of talking to someone if they're going to be like that?'"
Despite the personal animosity, Carter stressed his professional respect, commenting: "I've got the ultimate respect for Ronnie as a snooker player. He's quite a funny guy actually, but he's an odd character."
A Rivalry Defined by Contrasting Personalities
This enduring feud represents more than just sporting competition; it highlights the clash between two contrasting personalities within professional snooker. O'Sullivan, the mercurial genius known for his raw talent and unpredictable nature, versus Carter, the determined competitor who has openly challenged the behaviour of the sport's biggest star.
Their upcoming match at the German Masters promises not only high-quality snooker but also the potential for further psychological warfare. With a history that includes physical confrontation, public insults, broken truces, and mutual bewilderment, this rivalry continues to add a compelling personal drama to the green baize. As they prepare to meet once more, the snooker world watches to see whether their competitive fire will produce another classic match or simply another chapter in their ongoing saga of discord.
