Shaun Murphy claims Ronnie O'Sullivan is not being 'damaging' to snooker just yet.
However, the 41-year-old admits he sometimes cringes at some of the comments the Rocket makes.
O'Sullivan has received criticism this week for his comments on Alexandra Palace.
He claimed he didn't like the Masters venue because it was 'dirty', 'cold' and 'freezing'.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is not damaging to snooker yet, says Shaun Murphy
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Murphy, who plays O'Sullivan in Saturday's semi-final, is also a player director for the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).
He has responded to O'Sullivan's comments, admitting he wished the 48-year-old would hold back with some of his opinions.
However, he stopped short of saying he is becoming a problem for the sport.
Murphy said: "I don’t think he’s reached the point where he is damaging to snooker, yet.
"Sometimes with my WPBSA player director hat on I cringe when he talks now and again. I think ‘please don’t say that’.
"But he is the biggest draw in the sport, he is the best player of all time, so he has earned the right to some degree to say what he wants.
"He always delivers on the table and that's ultimately what matters."
Murphy and O'Sullivan have not always seen eye-to-eye over the years.
On their relationship, Murphy added: "We are very different, we have different opinions on almost everything.
"We come from a completely different world, I don’t come from the same world as Ronnie.
"Ronnie comes from a very privileged, very wealthy background.
"I come from a very working class, had-nothing-growing-up, background.
"We have differing views on most things because of that, but what we have is a deep passion for this game."
O'Sullivan has been far from his best at the Masters so far this week.
But he is still well-placed to win the tournament for a record-extending eighth time.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan has received criticism for his recent comments
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Close friend Jimmy White believes he still has plenty of fire left in his belly.
White said: "He is playing as good as ever. He is not going anywhere.
"He is the fittest guy on the tour, he practices as much as anyone.
"He is not a certainty to win this tournament, but he has a great chance.
"I would always back O'Sullivan. He’s still doing it now at the age he is now.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is the world No 1 and is aiming for an eighth Masters title
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"He is still doing it now. Thankfully we still have Ronnie O'Sullivan as snooker needs him.
"No one is ever bigger than the game. You had Alex Higgins before and Ronnie O’Sullivan now.
"You look at Judd Trump now, he’s amazing to watch.
"All the top players are amazing to watch, they just do it in different styles."
