Ronnie O’Sullivan admitted that he regretted launching into an extraordinary rant at Ali Carter after their Masters final just under a year ago at Alexandra Palace.

The Rocket secured a record-extending eighth title last year, coming from behind to defeat his fierce rival, before the pair fired into an angry war of words in the media.

O’Sullivan, who won seven of the final 11 frames to halt Carter from winning his first Triple Crown title, was accused of “snotting all over the floor” during the match and disrupting his game.

When told of Carter’s comments in his post-match press conference, posing with the trophy, O’Sullivan launched into a strong rant about Carter and said: “He needs to sort his f***ing life out. I’m not going to skirt around it anymore, tip-toeing on eggshells around someone like that. He’s a f***ing nightmare.”

O’Sullivan continued by claiming that Carter is “not a nice person, it’s not a nice vibe he leaves around the table”, before insisting that his final opponent has “got issues”.

The 49-year-old has looked back on those comments as he gears up for another Masters campaign, which he starts on Sunday against John Higgins and, upon reflection, wishes he had kept quiet instead.

“It’s just heat of the moment stuff,” O’Sullivan said at the Championship League. “If I feel like I’ve got to say something I’ll say it. It’s nothing personal, just heat of the moment stuff. He’s entitled to say what he’s got to say, like I am.

“Do I regret saying it? Probably. I wish I’d kept my mouth shut and been a bit more polished with my answers, a bit more diplomatic. But I’ve said what I’ve said and that’s fine. It’s only words innit? He goes back to his life, his family and I do. We only have to meet on the table, it’s not like we’re best mates but it’s fine, we’re both pretty grown up.”

O’Sullivan had been due to face Carter again in Leicester, but withdrew from the competition after smacking his cue against the table in defeat to Robert Milkins.

They could meet in the semi-finals if O’Sullivan is successful against Higgins and Carter overcomes Mark Selby in their opening matches, but the Rocket will not be getting too far ahead of himself after a poor warm-up event.

Many players see the Championship League as ideal post-Christmas practice but O’Sullivan, who smashed into the balls and effectively gave up in a 3-2 loss to Milkins, will need to play at a much higher level in order to defend his Masters crown.