Ronnie O'Sullivan sparked a fierce rivalry with Stephen Hendry ahead of their 2002 World Championship semi-final, leaving Hendry 'angry' after a brutal interview.
The Rocket, then the reigning champion, made contemptuous remarks about Hendry, claiming he led a "sad little life."
What happened?
Hendry recalled the incident on his Cue Tips YouTube channel, stating that O'Sullivan's comments motivated him to win.
He remembered being in his room the morning of the match, reading the papers, and seeing O'Sullivan's remarks.
O'Sullivan had said: "The most satisfying thing for me would be to send him home to Scotland as quickly as possible for a nice summer off."
Why it matters for Ronnie O'Sullivan
The feud was a significant moment in the careers of both O'Sullivan and Hendry, with the two snooker legends now enjoying a good relationship.
Hendry reflected on the match, which he won 17-13, saying that O'Sullivan's behaviour during the game got to him.
O'Sullivan's remarks ignited a fire in Hendry, who used the criticism to psych himself up to win.
What comes next?
The incident occurred on May 1, 2002, at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with Hendry going on to lose the final to Peter Ebdon.
And despite the rivalry, Hendry and O'Sullivan have put their differences aside, with Hendry stating that they now get on great.
But at the time, Hendry was disappointed by O'Sullivan's comments, feeling let down by his fellow snooker player.
So he used the criticism to fuel his determination to win, which ultimately led to his victory over O'Sullivan.
Hendry's win was a significant moment in the tournament, with the Scot dominating the match.
The 2002 World Championship was a notable event in the snooker calendar, with O'Sullivan and Hendry being two of the top players at the time.
O'Sullivan's comments were seen as a tactic to unsettle Hendry, but they ultimately backfired.
Hendry's victory was a testament to his skill and determination, with the Scot proving himself to be a formidable opponent.