Clash of Titans: O’Sullivan Drawn Against Fierce Rival Carter in Explosive World Snooker Opener

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan is set to face long-time rival Ali Carter in a blockbuster first-round showdown at the 2025 World Snooker Championship in Sheffield. The 49-year-old snooker legend, seeded fifth, has a storied history with Carter, having defeated him in two World Championship finals — in 2008 and again in 2012 — both held at the iconic Crucible Theatre.

Despite being one of the tournament’s biggest draws, O’Sullivan’s participation had remained uncertain. He has not played competitively since January, when he snapped his cue and withdrew from the Championship League. Since then, he’s pulled out of five of the last six World Snooker Tour events due to medical concerns, sparking speculation about whether he’d appear in Sheffield. Though he hasn’t formally confirmed his entry, he is listed in the draw and expected to take to the table on Tuesday, much to the delight of fans and players alike.

O’Sullivan and Carter’s rivalry goes beyond the baize. The pair famously clashed after the 2024 Masters final, where O’Sullivan launched into a furious rant following his 10-7 victory, branding Carter “not a nice person” after being accused of poor etiquette during the match. The tension adds a combustible element to what is already a high-stakes encounter.

Four-time world champion Mark Selby, who helped conduct the draw, acknowledged the intensity of the matchup, calling it a “horrible draw” for both men. “It’s great to see Ronnie back,” Selby said. “But Carter is one of the toughest qualifiers you can face.”

Elsewhere in the draw, defending champion Kyren Wilson begins his title defence against debutant Lei Peifan, while world No 1 Judd Trump faces fellow Chinese player Zhou Yuelong. Masters champion Shaun Murphy meets newcomer Daniel Wells, and former champions John Higgins, Mark Williams, Neil Robertson, and Luca Brecel also feature in a stacked field.

With a record 10 Chinese players in the main draw, the 2025 World Championship promises high drama, culminating in the two-day final beginning Sunday, 4 May — with a hefty £500,000 prize awaiting the winner.