Ronnie O'Sullivan appears to have buried the hatchet with rival Ali Carter prior to their World Snooker Championship clash on Tuesday afternoon.
The Rocket made his long-awaited return to snooker at the Crucible, having missed months of action through injuries and personal reasons.
And after confirming his intention to compete at the World Championship, a tantalising first-riund draw saw him matched up against old rival Carter.
The two have exchanged unpleasantries over the years, including O'Sullivan telling Carter to 'sort his f***ing life out, but that all appears to be water under the bridge now.
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter shared a cordial moment before their World Championship clash
BBC
Fans were watching on to see how O'Sullivan and Carter would greet each other as the two made their way to their seats before their schedled 2.30pm start.
O'Sullivan stretched out a hand and shook his opponent's hand in a cordial exchange before a short conversation.
They then turned their attention to the match in front of a packed-out Crucible.
Seven years ago in 2018, their feud began after heated words were exchanged at the table before O'Sullivan shoulder barged Carter.
A year after at the Masters, Carter accused the seven-time world champion of blowing his nose on the floor.
He said: "There were a couple of things that happened out there that go unnoticed.
"Well, they don't go unnoticed but anyone with an eyesight or a brain can see what's going on. And it's disgusting quite frankly.
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"No one wants to say anything, do they? Snotting all over the floor and all that. I mean it's outrageous behaviour from a top professional.
"If it gets swept under the carpet then for me, it's not good."
O'Sullivan fired back with venom: "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. Playing snooker against someone like that is a nightmare.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter appear to have buried the hatchet
PA
"F***ing 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***, I don't give a f*** about any of these snooker players, any of them.
"The more he brings it on, the more I f***ing punish him every time.
"He's just digging a grave for himself. I don't give a f***. That's it, I've said my piece."
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Ronnie O'Sullivan shook Ali Carter's hand before their World Championship match got underway
BBC
In the build-up to their Crucible clash on Tuesday, O'Sullivan did admit he might have gone too far.
He said: “It was probably just heat of the moment stuff at the time. I’ve always said that I wished I wouldn’t have said what I said but I can’t take it back.
"It’s kind of out in the open. Neither of us really think much about it.”
