Ali Carter hits back at Ronnie O'Sullivan after X-rated rant from Masters champion

Ali Carter has responded to Ronnie O'Sullivan's X-rated rant towards him following the 2024 Masters final.

O'Sullivan won the Paul Hunter Trophy for the eighth time in his career at the Alexandra Palace on Sunday, defeating Carter 10-7.

'The Rocket' came from 6-3 down to triumph, and enters the World Championship attempting to become just the fourth player, after Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Mark Williams, to win all three Triple Crown events (The Masters and UK Championship) in a single season.

In the days after the Masters final, though, the 48-year-old has been involved in a war of words with his opponent.

In his post-match media conference, Carter accused O'Sullivan of 'snotting all over the floor' during a frame, describing his 'behaviour' as outrageous.

O'Sullivan subsequently hit back, saying that 'everybody knows what he's [Carter] like' and that 'he needs to sort his f***ing life out'.

He added: "F***ing why has he got issues with me? I'm not having it. I don't care, grow some balls. I don't give a f***. The more he brings it on, the more I f***ing punish him every time."

The audio from Ronnie O'Sullivan's x-rated rant about Ali Carter. pic.twitter.com/Juv8CnEQXm

— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) January 16, 2024

Both O'Sullivan and Carter could end up meeting again during the ongoing World Grand Prix this week in Leicester, which would surely be an interesting encounter to say the least.

In the meantime, ahead of his first round match against Wu Yize on Tuesday afternoon, Carter was asked by ITV's Rob Walker - who initially interviewed him after the final on Sunday - to respond to the seven-time world champion's comments.

And he didn't hold back.

He said: "Ronnie's entitled to his opinion of me. I just said what it is and how it was and talked facts. Simple as that.

"Angry about what? It makes no difference to me what he said.

"He says different things on different days. I don't think he knows what's going to come out of his mouth at certain times.

"I actually feel a bit sorry for him, I don't think he's that well mentally. So we move forward and we go again."

The World Snooker Tour (WST) have confirmed that O'Sullivan comments are now 'under review' - with 'The Rocket' having reportedly been told that snooker chiefs have been left 'unimpressed'.