Ali Carter responds to Ronnie O’Sullivan’s explosive rant – ‘I actually feel a bit sorry for him’

Ali Carter says it “makes no difference” what Ronnie O’Sullivan says and that he feels “a bit sorry” for him after being on the receiving end of an X-rated rant from the seven-time world champion.

“F******* why has he got issues with me? I’m not having it,” said O’Sullivan.

“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.”

The comments were put to Carter at the World Grand Prix ahead of the start of his campaign at Leicester’s Morningside Arena.

“Ronnie’s entitled to his opinion of me. I just said what it is and how it was. I talk facts. Simple as that,” he told ITV.

“[Am I] angry about what? It makes no difference to me what he says. He says different things on different days. I don’t think he even knows what’s going to come out of his mouth at certain times.

“I actually feel a bit sorry for him. I don’t think he’s that well, mentally. So we move forward and go again this week.”

The feud will be keenly watched in the weeks leading up to the World Championship, which starts in April.

The two players went into the World Grand Prix with the possibility of facing each other if they both get through to the final.