I’m a top snooker star who was diagnosed with testicular and lung cancer – my young son’s inspiring words got me through
ALI CARTER has his sights set on becoming World Snooker champion after overcoming testicular and lung cancer.
The former world number two has twice reached the final, in 2008 and 2012, and twice lost to Ronnie O’Sullivan.
In 2014 he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and a year later lung cancer.
And he revealed the support of his son helped him battle through.
In an interview with Eurosport, Carter said: “I found a lump in my, in my testicles and yeah, I just thought I better go and get that checked out.
“To be honest with you, it’s a whirlwind of emotions that go through your head. And at the time when you do get the cancer diagnosis, you can’t process it. It’s as simple as that.
“I had my boy at the time. He was about four or five when I’d just been diagnosed and I walked in the house. And, you know, he just said, “dad, you’re my best friend” when I walked through the door.
“And I just thought to myself, ‘wow, that’s, you know, that’s something. I’ve got to get through this.’ And I was lucky enough to do that. I’ve got to start making some more memories I think.”
Carter is now ranked 20th in the world and last reached the latter stages of the World Snooker Championship in 2019, making the last eight.
He described playing at the Crucible as a “dream” and still believes he can win the World Snooker Championship, as long as nemesis O’Sullivan retires.
Carter, 43, added: “It takes a lot to be a winner. But yeah I believe I can win it one day, if Ronnie retires.
“The World Championship is such a special event because it’s a boyhood dream for every player to become world champion.
“There’s always twists, turns, tails, great matches, you know, drama, everything.
“It’s, you know. Pressure, you name it, it’s a whole cocktail of emotions. To be a part of that cocktail and in there with it, mixing with it, is a dream come true.”