Ali Carter Offers Candid Take on Ronnie O'Sullivan's Current Form
Snooker professional Ali Carter has provided a frank assessment of his long-time rival Ronnie O'Sullivan's game, following a significant victory over the Rocket at the German Masters. The Captain secured a notable 5-3 win in Berlin, marking only his second triumph against O'Sullivan in their 23 career meetings.
A Cherished Victory Amidst Strained Performances
The match saw Carter surge into an early 3-0 lead before successfully fending off a characteristic O'Sullivan fightback to clinch the last-16 spot. This victory holds particular weight for Carter, given the historical dominance O'Sullivan has held in their head-to-head encounters. Observers noted that O'Sullivan, whose last tournament win was over two years ago at the Masters where he defeated Carter in a tense final, appeared dissatisfied with his own performance during the match.
O'Sullivan's recent form has been inconsistent, with early exits at both the Riyadh Season Championship and the UK Championship preceding this defeat. The 50-year-old legend's participation in tournaments has become less frequent this season, with the German Masters representing just his second European event following his UK Championship departure.
Carter's Insight into O'Sullivan's Mindset
In his post-match comments, Carter offered a perceptive analysis of his opponent's demeanour. "It didn't look like he was enjoying it too much out there today," Carter remarked. "If that's the case, then he's obviously in a position where he doesn't need to come to these events. It's great for the fans to see him, but it wasn't enjoyable in the end to see him not really enjoy it. The heat of the battle is what we all play for but I suppose he's in a different stage of his career right now."
Carter, who first practised with O'Sullivan during his teenage years before their relationship became famously strained, indicated that tensions have eased considerably since their ill-tempered 2024 Masters final. "Me and Ronnie have known each other a long time. He's a character, isn't he? We're fine now, there's no animosity at all, it's all heat-of-the-moment stuff. We're both sportsmen and he's the best snooker player of all time," Carter stated, adding, "So to even be on the table with him, competing with him and playing with him and getting the odd win here and there is a feather in me cap."
O'Sullivan's Focus on Future Goals
Despite the defeat, O'Sullivan's ambitions remain undimmed. Following his first-round victory over Long Zehuang in Berlin, he spoke of his primary career objective. "I'd like to win one more (World Championship)," O'Sullivan revealed. "I will probably have three or four genuine attempts at it. I think that is going to be my main goal for the rest of my career, to try and win one more. If I can that would be great, but still just try and enjoy the game, enjoy the crowds and enjoy the tournaments."
An eighth world title would set a new record in the sport, further cementing O'Sullivan's legendary status. Meanwhile, Carter capitalised on his momentum from the O'Sullivan victory, delivering a commanding 5-0 win over Xu Si to advance to the quarter-finals, where he is scheduled to face Stuart Bingham on Friday.
The remaining last-eight fixtures at the German Masters promise compelling viewing, notably featuring a clash between the last two Masters champions, Kyren Wilson and Shaun Murphy. The tournament continues to showcase the dynamic narratives and competitive spirit defining professional snooker.
