World Snooker Championship 2025: O’Sullivan and Carter Call Truce as Rocket Opens Up on Crucible Fears

The anticipation around Ronnie O’Sullivan’s return to the snooker table couldn’t have been greater, and the seven-time world champion didn’t disappoint as he marked his first appearance in four months with a commanding win over long-time rival Ali Carter at the 2025 World Championship.

O’Sullivan had plummeted to world number five after going off the radar since snapping his cue in frustration during a Championship League match with Robert Milkins back in January. 

His absence meant missing key events — including a decision not to defend his Masters title, citing "medical grounds." But when it came to the World Championship, there was no chance he’d stay away, with an eighth Crucible crown still firmly in his sights.

The End of the Feud? 

In a draw full of storylines, fate served up one of the sport’s most heated rivalries. O’Sullivan versus Carter — a matchup steeped in drama, dating back to their fiery 2018 clash now infamously remembered as "Barge-gate."

Yet despite the bad blood of years gone by, there was a refreshing calm before this latest storm. 

O’Sullivan offered a full handshake before the match, a notable departure from his usual fist bump, and Carter returned the gesture in kind. The tone remained civil at the conclusion too, as the pair shared respectful words at the table — a stark contrast to some of their previous encounters.

While O’Sullivan looked rusty in the first session and Carter kept things tight, it was still the Rocket who edged ahead 5-4. Then came the fireworks.

In a breathtaking second session, the 48-year-old reeled off five consecutive frames in under 90 minutes, firing in three centuries (117, 123, 131) and two further 50+ breaks to seal a 10-4 victory.

No One Can Live with Ronnie

After the match, Carter was full of praise for his old foe — with a level of admiration that showed just how far their relationship had come.

“We all make mistakes in the past. We’ve all said things that maybe we shouldn’t have, and you reflect on that,” Carter admitted.

“At the end of the day, I’m playing against the greatest player of all time, there is no argument.”

“He could have 10 years off and he’d still come here. He’s just a freak natural, isn’t he? We all know that, and that’s why we all love watching him.”

When asked whether O’Sullivan’s second-session form made him the favourite for the title, Carter was emphatic.

“No question. No one can live with that.”

“You know the game’s different every day. Someone doesn’t just turn up and they give you the trophy because you play well in one session or a match. You got to be here for the long haul.”

“But he looks like his head’s on, he looks like he’s in a good place. I think he’s immense.”

Inside the Rocket’s Mind

As for the man himself, O’Sullivan offered an honest look into his mindset, admitting he was deeply anxious about the prospect of breaking down at the table — just as he had during the Championship League earlier in the year.

As mentioned, the Rocket hadn’t played a competitive match since early January and only made the call to enter the World Championship two days before it began. 

“Yeah, totally. I thought what am I doing coming here, exposing myself, imploding out there having a meltdown. All that kind of went through my head.”

He credited sports psychiatrist Steve Peters for giving him the confidence to show up at the Crucible and not crumble under the weight of expectation.

“I told Steve Peters, and he went, ‘right I’m coming’. He said, ‘I’ll get you through the first match’, and I went alright, that’s the deal. The deal is you get me through the first match.”

Scared of the Crucible

Even as a seven-time champion, O’Sullivan admitted that the Crucible’s unique pressure remains as intimidating as ever.

“I was kind of a bit scared about coming and playing. It’s a daunting venue to play at anyway. But it was just like getting on the bike again, playing, and I’m really happy that I’ve done it.”

“Even if I had lost, it didn’t really matter. I’ve made that breakthrough now of coming out the plan. There’s still work to do, lots of work to do, and at least I will try and figure it out myself this time and try and work my way back to where I wanna be.”

A Devoted Two Years

O’Sullivan ended the conversation with a vow to fully commit to snooker over the next two years — regardless of how the results unfold.

“I’ll devote two years to it, whether it’s good, bad, or awful. It might take one month, might take six months, might take a year. I think a proper good go at it is what I owe snooker and owe myself.”

Next up for the Rocket is Chinese talent Pang Junxu — a rematch of their 2023 Crucible encounter, where on his debut Pang threatened a dramatic comeback before eventually falling 10-7. This time, O’Sullivan returns not just as a legend, but as a man with something to prove — to the game, and to himself.