Ronnie O'Sullivan's biggest feuds from three-year-long snub to rival who won't forgive him

Ronnie O'Sullivan continues to spend the majority of his time outside the UK and will not compete at the Players Championship this week. However, his confrontations with fellow snooker professionals remain firmly etched in memory. The Rocket is regarded by many as the finest player to ever wield a cue and as his career enters its final chapters, witnessing the 50-year-old at a UK ranking tournament has become increasingly uncommon.

He has not participated in any domestic events since the UK Championship last December. Following his withdrawal from the Masters last month for medical reasons, despite securing qualification for the Players Championship, he will be absent in Telford. Yet these non-appearances have not diminished recollections of his disputes with fellow players. Express Sport examines some of O'Sullivan's most prominent conflicts. These span from three years of the silent treatment to a rival who remains unforgiving of his conduct.

Stephen Hendry

During the 2006 UK Championship, two legends of the sport, O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry, locked horns in a dispute that would endure for years. O'Sullivan was trailing 4-1 to Hendry when, following a wayward shot into the pack, he chose to abandon the match. He shook Hendry's hand and departed during the sixth frame in a memorable snooker incident.

Four years afterwards, O'Sullivan disclosed that Hendry had blanked him for three years following this episode. He said in 2010: "After I walked last time Stephen - who is one of my heroes - fell out with me and didn't talk to me for about three years. But I love the guy, and he's the greatest snooker player of all time."

The two legends ultimately reconciled and their bond endures. O'Sullivan featured on Hendry's Cue Tips YouTube channel last year, where they shared a light-hearted chat about the rift.

Shaun Murphy

Whilst Hendry and O'Sullivan managed to patch things up, Shaun Murphy has acknowledged that one episode from his younger days has resulted in an uncomfortable dynamic between himself and The Rocket.

Speaking for the book Pots of Gold: A History of Snooker, Murphy revealed: "We fell out when I was young. Ronnie verbally abused me when I was 12 and I never forgave him. I vividly remember it.

"I still have immense respect for his levels of play as a snooker player. I watch in awe at the things he's able to do, because I know how hard it is. His ability as a player is completely unmatched."

Ali Carter

Perhaps O'Sullivan's biggest adversary regarding off-table confrontations is Ali Carter. The pair have been feuding for years, with one of their earliest encounters occurring at the 2018 World Championship.

Carter ultimately eliminated O'Sullivan from the tournament, though not before his rival seemingly shoulder-barged him whilst returning to his seat. The duo exchanged sharp words and locked horns once more at the 2024 Masters.

O'Sullivan faced accusations of "snotting all over the floor" from Carter following his title victory at Alexandra Palace. He hit back with an expletive-laden press conference outburst, urging Carter to "sort his f***ing life out."

Although their icy rapport saw a minor thaw at the 2025 World Snooker Championship, where Carter lauded O'Sullivan as the greatest snooker player of all time, it emerged late last year that they are no longer on speaking terms.

Darren Morgan

Another former professional who has experienced tensions with O'Sullivan is Welsh star Darren Morgan. He hung up his cue in 2006 and since stepping away from competition, has made infrequent appearances as a pundit in Wales.

He previously disclosed a confrontation with O'Sullivan after accusing him of petulance during a match. Speaking on Cue Tips, Morgan recalled: "I remember once Ronnie, he chucked the balls out with 10 reds on to concede the frame.

"I said in commentary, 'It's a bit like a child throwing his toys out the pram.' It all went out, then when I was in Newport, in the little corridor where the toilets were. He's walking past and he says, 'Can I have a word?'

"So we went into the toilets and we had words. He was strong with his words and I was strong back. I said, 'Were you being like a petulant child and chucking your toys out the pram?' He said, 'Whether I was or not, you didn't need to say that.' I told him I'm there to do a job, they're paying me to do that. He laughed at it after the awkwardness was over."