ALI CARTER has been diagnosed with a form of lung cancer and has withdrawn from the Wuxi Classic qualifiers in Gloucester, which start today.
The world no.13 faces an intensive course of chemotherapy treatment in the coming months.
“Ali is the toughest competitor I know and having spoken to him over the last few days I can assure everyone he has the fight to get through the battle ahead. I know that the world will be looking forward to Ali returning to action and I am sure that all of our friends, fans and partners will join with me in wishing Ali a full recovery,” said Jason Ferguson, WPBSA chairman.
Carter, 34, has won three world ranking titles and twice finished runner-up in the World Championship. He has suffered from Crohn’s Disease for over a decade and last year was treated for testicular cancer. This latest health setback means he will again have to put his playing career on hold.
Ferguson said on Monday that he had “already done the paperwork” for freezing Carter’s ranking until he has completed his treatment.
In 2006, players voted to give the WPBSA the right to freeze a player’s ranking on the grounds of serious ill health.
Everyone within the sport knows Carter as a fighter and will send him their best wishes for his treatment. Let’s hope he’s back playing again soon.