IT'S SNOT RIGHT!

Rocket admits regret over his X-rated Carter rant in Masters

- BY SHANE MacDERMOTT

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has revealed he regrets his explosive X-rated Ali Carter rant ahead of their hotly-anticipated World Championship grudge match.

The Essex pair practised together when they were younger, but have been embroiled in a bitter rivalry in recent years.

The Rocket unleashed an expletive-laden tirade as he called Carter a “f***ing nightmare” after his nemesis accused him of “snotting” on the Ally Pally floor in the aftermath of last year's Masters final.

And it will be the first time they have clashed at the Crucible, where O'Sullivan has twice beaten Carter in finals, since their infamous “barge-gate” incident in 2018.

Fifth seed O'Sullivan, who begins his quest for a record eighth world title today, reflected: “It was probably just heat of the moment stuff at the time.