When Ali Carter tweeted that he was considering retirement after losing in this season’s UK Championship his words were treated with widespread scepticism, the kneejerk response of a player disappointed by defeat and frustrated with the vagaries of form.
However, Carter has withdrawn from next week’s World Open and ongoing issues with Crohn’s disease raise a question mark over his professional future.
Ali has fought this condition largely in private, never using it as an excuse for poor results. He has played in tournaments even when not feeling fit.
He told The Times recently of how Crohn’s disease affects him: “When things are really bad you can be curled up on your bed, in excruciating pain, with stomach cramps and spasms.
“I have felt like that out in the arena and all you can do is suffer it. Your stomach bloats and it has been so bad that it was hard to bend down over the table. You take painkillers but then you feel washed out.”
Carter has been one of snooker’s more industrious players, not relying solely on his playing career for income and future security.
He owns a snooker club, has invested in property and is a qualified pilot.
Results have dried up of late and he has a big chunk of points to come off after the World Championship having reached the semi-finals at the Crucible two years ago, which means his top 16 place is under threat.
It would be very disappointing to lose a talent such as Carter from the game but he has to decide what is best for him and his family.
His plight is a reminder that players are not commodities but human beings with human frailties which can and do intrude on their professional lives.
11 comments:
all the best for your future ali, no matter what you decide.
i dont think his "threat" to retire was anything but sincere.
good luck
Hope he recovers. Good player to watch and replacing him in the top 16 with Mark Davis would be a negative for the game.
Think retirement is a bit severe though. Hes good enough to hold a place in the top 32 by just playing the odd event for a few years yet.
Under the old system he prob could have stayed in the top 16 by playing in the world and UK alone for 3 or 4 years.
Dont think its just the Crohms though. I've had the impression for some time that Carter's heart wasn't in it. He has a family and a business and hes probably seeing the game as a necessary evil rather than the fulfilment of a lifetime love. Bit like O'Sullivan in that they both love playing the big match with the packed audience, but the practise, travel and humdrum early rounds no longer make it worthwhile.
Either way he deserves everything he's got from snooker and I wish him all the best.
"Good player to watch and replacing him in the top 16 with Mark Davis would be a negative for the game".
That's harsh. Mark Davis is a quality player who deserves a top 16 place. He's worked hard on his game and is reaping the rewards.
Ali Carter is a class act, and I hope he finds a way to manage his debilitating condition, find improved form and a new desire for the game.
disagree KC
if hes to become "part time" i dont think he would hold a top 32 place long.
probably best he devotes his time to other things, as even playing the odd event hed still need to practise or hed get hammered by all sorts
if m. davis and/or higginson do well in the next few months they could become new members. but then bingham, allen, o'sullivan or walden would have to make way first.
hope carter can get rid of his pain. it surely puts things into perspective.
sorry but Mark Davis is never a top 16 player in a month of Sundays, decent lad and a solid player but hes punching above his weight as it is i feel. Lets face it, when does he ever beat a top player or have a run in a tournament?
As Ric Flair once said, "to be the best, you gotta beat the rest"
Re: Carter, yes its unfortunate about his illness and i wish him all the best, but personally and i know i speak for quite a lot, Carter wont overly be missed when he does indeed call it a day (its a total certainty id say, his hearts not in it as the person above says)
Hes the epitome to me of the Highland Spring Brigade, the bland generation of snooker clones who fail to excite or capture the publics imagination.
Safe flight Captain, the runway is clear for your departure....
Witz78 said...
sorry but Mark Davis is never a top 16 player in a month of Sundays, decent lad and a solid player but hes punching above his weight as it is i feel. Lets face it, when does he ever beat a top player or have a run in a tournament?
As Ric Flair once said, "to be the best, you gotta beat the rest"
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only hes not being the best, hes just being better that those from 17 outward (if he got into the top 16)
which makes your rF point, pointless
As Ric Flair once said, "to be the best, you gotta beat the rest"
--------------------
only hes not being the best, hes just being better that those from 17 outward (if he got into the top 16)
which makes your rF point, pointless
8.09
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Ok........
to be AMONG the best, you gotta beat SOME of the rest....?
Using this clown witz78 in an argument is seriously deluded..
http://yhoo.it/xt4NyS
'Hes the epitome to me of the Highland Spring Brigade, the bland generation of snooker clones who fail to excite or capture the publics imagination.
Safe flight Captain, the runway is clear for your departure....'
Have to agree with ya there...dont know what it is about him but just dont enjoy watching him play..
thats much better Witz
at least you didnt do a Jamie and dig your high heels in when wrong.
and, i now agree with you.
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