World News Online: World Snooker Championship draw in full as O’Sullivan gets grudge tie | Other

World Snooker Championship draw in full as O’Sullivan gets grudge tie | Other | Sport

Ronnie O'Sullivan and co have discovered their first-round matches of the World Snooker Championship. The top 16 seeds were paired with 16 qualifiers who came through to reach the Crucible after a dramatic final day, which saw several contests go down to the wire.

The Rocket's participation is not yet confirmed, despite being in the hat for Thursday morning's draw, having not played a competitive match since January. He snapped his cue at the Championship League, but has been practicing in Saudi Arabia before heading to Sheffield.

And O'Sullivan faces another grudge match after being drawn with fellow Essex potter Ali Carter. The two have a history, including a feisty shoulder barge and the Rocket calling out the Captain in a public row.

O'Sullivan described Carter as a "f***ing nightmare" and told him to see a counsellor in an expletive-laden rant, shortly after downing his fierce rival at Alexandra Palace in the 2024 Masters final.

Their match is the juiciest of the entire round, which also features Judd Trump against Zhou Yuelong and Mark Selby versus Ben Wollaston, with all eyes on whether O'Sullivan will participate ahead of a mouthwatering 17 days of snooker action in the Steel City.

Carter had accused O'Sullivan of "snotting all over the floor" during their match, which the seven-time world champion won 10-7, prompting his opponent to visibly seeth in a memorable post-final press conference.

"He can sit on it as far as I'm concerned," O'Sullivan said. "I don't give a f***. You know what he's like, everybody knows what he's like. He's got issues. F******* 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***. The more he brings it on, the more I f****** punish him every time.

"Absolutely. He's just digging a grave for himself. He needs to sort his f****** life out. That's it, I've said my piece. I'm not going to skirt around it anymore, tip-toeing on egg shells around someone like that.

"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 and you're going to write what you're going to write. I don't give a s***. I've said it now, done. End of press conference? I suppose you've got your headlines, haven't you?"