Ronnie O'Sullivan has unleashed a torrent of criticism at bitter rival Ali Carter following his victory in The Masters final.

The Rocket defeated Carter 10-7 to lift his 8th Masters title and inflict a third defeat over Carter in their triple crown final meetings. The Captain lost both the 2008 and 2012 World Championship finals to O'Sullivan.

The pair have endured a fierce rivalry over the years with a culmination coming at the 2018 World Championships were both players barged into each other at the side of the table during a match.

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After losing to O'Sullivan on Sunday, Carter criticised The Rocket for 'snotting all over the floor' and called it 'outrageous behaviour'. But speaking to to the Daily Mail, O'Sullivan has hit back.

"He needs to sort his f***ing life out. I’m not going to skirt around it anymore, tip-toeing on egg shells around someone like that. He’s a f***ing nightmare." Exclaimed O'Sullivan.

"Playing snooker against someone like that is a nightmare. He’s not a nice person. It’s not a nice vibe he leaves around the table.

"I’ve said my piece, I don’t give a s**t. I’ve said it now, done. You know what he’s like, everybody knows what he’s like.

"He’s got issues. 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*** about any of these snooker players, any of them.

"The more he brings it on, the more I f***ing punish him every time. He’s just digging a grave for himself. I don’t give a f***. That’s it, I’ve said my piece."

But The Rocket hadn't quite finished as he explained the history of the acrimony between the two.

"He’s got beef with me. He’s got issues, he’s got to sort his life out, he’s got to see a counsellor or something. He’s got to sort it out because I haven’t spoken to him for 20 years," said O’Sullivan.

"I played with him when he was a kid and shared a lot of stuff with him.

"For him to come out and try to trash talk me like that, do you know what? He can have one of them (middle finger), he can sit on it as far as I’m concerned."

Carter had suggested that others are not prepared to call O'Sullivan out over what he called his 'outrageous behaviour' but he was happy to. He also criticised 'morons' in the crowd at the Alexandra Palace.

"There were a couple of things that happened out there that go unnoticed. Well, they don’t go unnoticed – anyone with eyesight or a brain can see what’s going on," said Carter.

"It’s disgusting quite frankly. No one wants to say anything do they? (O’Sullivan) snotting all over the floor and all that. I mean it’s outrageous behaviour from a top professional. It it gets swept under the carpet then for me, it’s not good.

"And there were some morons in the crowd. It’s unbelievable really. It’s hard enough to beat him, but when you have people shouting on your shot and saying stupid things at important times…my head wanted to come off."

Both Carter and O’Sullivan are in action on Tuesday in the opening round of the World Grand Prix. The Captain plays Wu Yize in the afternoon session before the Rocket takes on Pang Junxu tonight.

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