Ronnie O'Sullivan has unusual plan for Masters trophy after criticising 'disgusting' venue Alexandra Palace

Ronnie O'Sullivan is planning to send his Masters trophy to a different country, just weeks after he beat Ali Carter in the final.

Earlier this month, the world number one lifted a record-extending eighth Masters title with a 10-7 victory over Carter, who accused his opponent of "snotting all over the floor" during the contest.

Away from the controversy and it was an impressive victory at the Alexandra Palace for 'The Rocket', even if he did describe the North London venue as "disgusting" and "dirty" following his 6-3 victory over Barry Hawkins

“I just don’t like this place," he said after reaching the last four. "I find it disgusting. Everywhere is dirty. It’s cold. It’s freezing. I have to wear my coat everywhere. You go through car parks. There are bins. Honestly, it just makes me feel ill."

He added: “I’m a bit of a clean freak and when I come in here it gives me the heebie-jeebies. I just can’t wait to get out of here.”

Almost a fortnight after that victory over Carter and the generous O'Sullivan it ready to give his Masters trophy a new home in China.

After winning more than 80 events over the course of a 22-year career, O'Sullivan has previously played down being attached to silverware.

And it appears one of his latest achievements will be proudly displayed in a club.

“If I can keep that one, I’ll send it back to China to one of my mates and let him keep it in his club," he recently said per the Daily Express. "That’s what I do with most of my trophies now.”

This isn't the first time O'Sullivan has sent – or in this case left – a trophy in China.

Back in September, after he beat Luca Brecel in the Shanghai Masters final – a victory that extended his record in China's biggest city to 19 consecutive matches – he opened up about giving the trophy to his mate Paul.

Image credit: Getty

The world number one also said he wasn't “bothered” about keeping it.

"I'll be giving the trophy to my friend who is opening up a club here. It will be staying in China," he said. "I always give them away. My mate Paul's got one, I gave one to a kid in the crowd.

"I'm not really bothered about trophies. I've sold quite a few of them - I don't want any memorabilia left by the time I'm 70 or 80."

He added: "I'm preparing for death - part of that is I don't want no snooker stuff - waistcoats, cues, it's all going to go."

Topics: Ronnie OSullivan, Snooker

Jack Kenmare

Senior Journalist at SPORTbible with a passion for long-form journalism. Almost 10 years’ experience across online and print.

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