End of a Feud: Ali Carter Hails Ronnie O’Sullivan as ‘The Greatest’ After Crucible Clash

Ali Carter has seemingly put an end to his long-standing rivalry with Ronnie O’Sullivan, referring to the seven-time world champion as “the greatest player of all time” after their much-anticipated first-round clash at the 2025 World Snooker Championship.

Their latest meeting stirred excitement among fans, largely due to their fiery history—most notably the infamous 2024 Masters final. In that tense showdown, O’Sullivan secured his record-extending eighth title, but the match was overshadowed by an on-table altercation. The Rocket appeared to barge into Carter mid-frame, leading to a heated war of words. O’Sullivan labeled Carter a “nightmare,” while Carter accused him of “snotting all over the floor,” and their relationship hit a new low.

Fast forward to the Crucible Theatre in 2025, and things appeared markedly different. O’Sullivan delivered a commanding performance, defeating Carter 10-4 in convincing fashion. However, it was the sportsmanship and mutual respect shown by both players that became the real talking point. Before and after the match, the pair shook hands and even exchanged friendly words—an encouraging sign that their long-running feud may finally be behind them.

Despite his disappointment at another early exit from the tournament, Carter was gracious in defeat and full of praise for his long-time rival. “We all make mistakes in the past. We’ve all said things we maybe shouldn’t have,” Carter admitted. “But at the end of the day, I’m playing the greatest player of all time.”

When asked about O’Sullivan’s performance, especially given his limited appearances in 2025, Carter added, “He could have 10 years off and still come here. He’s just a freak natural. We all know that, and that’s why we love watching him.”

O’Sullivan, who had only one win to his name this year prior to the Crucible, responded with humility and even hinted at some regret for his earlier remarks. In the next round, the Rocket will face rising Chinese talent Junxu Pang, who defeated Zhang Anda in a tight opening match. While expectations weren’t high for O’Sullivan this year, his latest win—and the newfound respect from a former rival—suggests that the Rocket may still have plenty of fuel left in the tank.