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Ali Carter
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Allister Carter (born 25 July 1979) is an English professional snooker player.[2] He has twice been a World Championship finalist, in 2008 and 2012, losing both finals to Ronnie O'Sullivan. He has won six ranking titles and briefly reached number two in the world rankings in 2010. His nickname, "The Captain", comes from his hobby of piloting aeroplanes.[3]

Key Information

Career

[edit]

Carter turned professional in 1996. He first emerged in 1999, winning the WPBSA Young Player of the Year award after winning the Benson and Hedges Championship in 1999 – this earned him a wild card place in the Masters.[2] He also reached the semi-finals of the 1999 Grand Prix.[4] It was eight years before he reached another ranking semi-final, the 2007 Malta Cup.[5]

He was close to the elite top 16 for three successive seasons, ranking as 17, 19, and 19 through 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06, respectively, before reaching it in the 2006–07 season and remaining there in 2008.[6]

He reached the last 16 (second round) of the World Championship in 2005, after scoring the first 10–0 victory in the event since 1993 against 1993 semi-finalist James Wattana in qualifying.[7] At the 2007 World Championship he beat Andy Hicks in the first round, 10–4, before beating World Number 1 and seven-time champion Stephen Hendry 13–6 to reach his first World Championship quarter-final and guarantee a place in the top 16.

Carter has at times missed out on opportunities from winning positions, an extreme example being in the first round of the 2007 UK Championship, when he led Barry Hawkins 8–3 before Hawkins won the next six frames to win 9–8.[8] However, Carter got his own back on Hawkins during the 2008 World Championship by beating him 10–9 in a 'controversial' finale. Hawkins had levelled the match to 9–9, when the players were pulled out of the arena to allow the evening matches to begin. They returned after one of the evening's two matches had been completed – on a table they had not previously played on. Hawkins felt this break interrupted his momentum, handing the match to Carter.[9] He followed this by defeating two former champions in succession; provisional World Number 1 Shaun Murphy 13–4 in the second round and then 2002 winner Peter Ebdon 13–9 in the quarter-final. In the semi-final on 4 May 2008 he beat Joe Perry 17–15 to book a place against Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final. Carter lost the final 8–18.[10]

Carter scored his first 147 break on 29 April 2008 at the World Championship, one day after Ronnie O'Sullivan had made one in the same tournament. This made Carter the sixth man to achieve this feat at the Crucible (the eighth made there, as O'Sullivan had previously achieved it three times), and the first to have done so without previously winning a tournament. It is the first time two 147s have been made in the same event.[11]

Carter soon showed signs of carrying this form forward in subsequent events. He won his second non-ranking tournament, the Huangshan Cup in China, with a 5–3 win over the reigning Grand Prix champion Marco Fu.[12] In the 2008–09 season, Carter reached the semi-final stage on three occasions. He progressed to the semi-finals of the season's first ranking event, the 2008 Northern Ireland Trophy before losing 5–6 to O'Sullivan having led 5–4.[13] He reached the same stage of the Grand Prix, defeating veterans Steve Davis and John Parrott before losing to Ryan Day, again 5–6[14] The third occasion was the UK Championship where wins over Peter Ebdon and Mark Williams were followed by a close 7–9 defeat to the man he was victorious against in the Huangshan Cup final in China, Marco Fu. After thirteen years as a professional, Carter defeated the likes of Jimmy White, Graeme Dott, Shaun Murphy, Anthony Hamilton, and Joe Swail to finally win his first ranking tournament – the 2009 Welsh Open.[citation needed]

He made a slow start to the 2009–10 season, losing 0–5 to Liang Wenbo in the last 16 of the Shanghai Masters and losing in the first round at the Grand Prix, before reaching the quarter-finals of the UK Championship. As the defending champion at the Welsh Open he progressed to the final but was beaten by John Higgins, the reigning world champion at the time. He finished the season strongly by reaching the semi-finals at the China Open and the World Championship, losing in the latter to eventual champion, Neil Robertson, by 12–17. Of the six ranking tournaments that were staged during the 2009–10 season, Carter's campaigns were ended by the eventual champion on four occasions, and on another by the runner-up. He finished the season by moving up to a career high position of 4th in the world rankings.[citation needed]

Carter won the 2010 Shanghai Masters. He had to recover from 1–4 down in the quarter-final to defeat Matthew Stevens 5–4, Stevens missing the final black off its spot in the deciding frame. He then won six frames in a row from 0–2 down to beat Mark Selby 6–2, and edged past qualifier Jamie Burnett 10–7 in the final.[15] The following events were not very successful for Carter, as he was eliminated in the last 32 of the World Open by Mark Williams 1–3, he suffered an early exit against the young talent Mark Joyce in the first round of the UK Championship by 6–9 and also lost his first round match of the 2011 Masters against Peter Ebdon by 5–6.[citation needed]

2011–12 season

[edit]

Carter's 2011–12 season got off to a poor start as he exited the first two ranking events of the year, the Australian Goldfields Open and the Shanghai Masters, in the first round.[16][17] At the UK Championships he defeated Robert Milkins, but then lost 2–6 to Mark Allen in the last 16. After the match Carter stated on Twitter: "I'm going to retire at the end of the season! And I can't wait!" and that he was "dead serious" about the threat. Later on he admitted the comments were made "in the heat of the moment" but that he did have some "serious thinking to do at the end of the season".[18] He lost in the first round in the Masters and the next two ranking events, and then withdrew from the World Open in China for medical reasons.[19][20] Although he reached the quarter-finals of the China Open with wins over Dominic Dale and Lu Ning before losing 2–5 to Ding Junhui, Carter found himself out of the world's top 16 for the first time since 2005.[21]

Before the start of the World Championship Carter stated that his future in the game depended on his health, as his ten-year battle with Crohn's disease continued.[22] Three weeks before the start of the event he began cutting out dairy and wheat from his diet.[23] This looked to have an effect on the snooker table too as he raced into an 8–1 lead over Mark Davis in the opening session of the first round, before returning to close out the match 10–2.[19] He played world number 2 Judd Trump in the second round and from 9–12 behind, produced a superb fightback to record the result of his season to take the match 13–12 and reach the quarter-finals.[24] He defeated impressive debutant Jamie Jones 13–11 in the last eight to book a semi-final with Stephen Maguire.[19] He won this match by a 17–12 scoreline to play in a repeat of the 2008 final against Ronnie O'Sullivan.[25] He lost 11–18, meaning he has now not beaten O'Sullivan in any of their 12 ranking event matches.[26] Despite reaching the final, Carter finished the season ranked world number 17, meaning he had dropped 11 places during the year.[27]

Carter at the 2013 German Masters

2012–13 season

[edit]

Carter began the season in less than auspicious form as he lost in the first round of both the Wuxi Classic and Australian Goldfields Open.[28] He won his first match in a ranking event of the season by beating Robert Milkins 5–4 in the Shanghai Masters and then whitewashed Stephen Maguire 5–0 to advance to the quarter-finals.[28] He played John Higgins and at 1–4 down threatened a comeback by winning two frames, but lost the next to exit the tournament, losing 3–5.[29] A first round defeat in the International Championship followed before he saw off Steve Davis and Mark Joyce in the UK Championship both by 6–2 scorelines and Stuart Bingham 6–4 to make the semi-finals for the first time since 2008.[30] Carter was the victim of a stunning fightback against Shaun Murphy in the semi-finals as he led 8–4 but Murphy levelled at 8–8 and when Carter broke down on a break of 32 in the deciding frame, Murphy stepped in to win 9–8.[31] Carter was beaten 3–6 by Higgins in the first round of the Masters.[28]

After scoring comfortable victories over Fraser Patrick, Anthony Hamilton and Michael Holt at the German Masters, Carter then took advantage of a poor performance from Neil Robertson to reach the final, where he played Marco Fu.[32] Carter came back from 3–5 down to win 9–6 to secure the third ranking event title of his career.[33] Fu gained revenge in the PTC Finals by beating Carter 4–1 in the second round, before Carter reached the final of the non-televised Championship League but lost 2–3 to Martin Gould.[28] He was edged out 4–5 in the second round of the China Open by Mark Williams.[28] At the World Championship, he won seven frames in a row to see off Ben Woollaston 10–4 in the first round, and came back from 1–5 in the last 16 against Ronnie O'Sullivan to level at 7–7, before O'Sullivan stepped up a gear to knock out Carter 13–8.[34][35] He ended the season ranked world number 16.[36]

2013–14 season

[edit]

Carter won through to the third round of the Wuxi Classic, before being edged out 5–4 by David Morris in the last 16.[37] After his first round loss to Mark Davis in the Shanghai Masters, he was forced to withdraw from the next two ranking events due to health problems documented below.[38] He returned for the UK Championship and dropped just one frame in his opening two matches, before losing 3–6 to Graeme Dott.[38] Carter dropped out of the top 16 in the world rankings during the year to miss out on playing in the Masters for the first time since 2006, but reached his first semi-final in a ranking event in over a year at the China Open, losing 2–6 to Neil Robertson.[39] He was beaten 13–9 by Mark Selby in the second round of the World Championship and bemoaned his opponent's negative playing style, saying that he was the only one trying to make things happen during the game.[40][41]

2014–15 season

[edit]

Carter missed the start of the 2014–15 season due to receiving treatment for a recurrence of testicular cancer metastasising to his lung.[42] He returned in October at the non-ranking General Cup and won the title by defeating Shaun Murphy 7–6 in the final.[43] In October, World Snooker and the WPBSA announced that Carter's seeding for the remainder of the season would be based on a world ranking of 13.[44] His first match back in a ranking event was a 5–6 loss to Zhang Anda in the opening round of the UK Championship.[45] Carter received a standing ovation at the Masters and beat Barry Hawkins 6–1, before Neil Robertson defeated him by a reversal of this scoreline in the quarter-finals.[46] Afterwards Carter said he was nowhere near match sharp and was targeting the World Championship as the place to rediscover his best form.[47] He won his first matches at the venue stage of a ranking event this year at the Welsh Open with victories over Fraser Patrick, Mark King and Matthew Selt, before losing 2–4 to Ben Woollaston in the last 16 and was knocked out in the first round of the China Open 5–4 by Kurt Maflin.[48]

Carter had a comprehensive 10–5 win over Alan McManus in the first round of the World Championship which began with a 127 break, before once again losing to Robertson in the next round, this time 5–13. His ranking was now no longer frozen and with him dropping down to world number 29 he set a goal to reclaim his top 16 ranking next season.[49]

2015–16 season

[edit]
2015 Paul Hunter Classic

Carter won the Paul Hunter Classic by defeating Shaun Murphy 4–3 in the final with a 95 break in the deciding frame, after a spirited fightback from Murphy to level it from 1–3 down. It was Carter's maiden European Tour title and his first ranking title since beating cancer. The win was especially fitting as the player it was named after, Paul Hunter, died of cancer in 2006.[50] Carter lost 2–6 in the third round of the UK Championship to John Higgins.[51] At the World Grand Prix he beat Luca Brecel 4–1 and Tom Ford 4–0 to reach his first ranking event quarter-final of the season, but lost 1–4 to Joe Perry.[52] Another followed at the PTC Finals courtesy of knocking out Graeme Dott and Judd Trump both 4–1.[53] In the quarters Ricky Walden eliminated him 4–1.[54] Carter came through a trio of matches to qualify for the World Championship and held his nerve after leading defending champion Stuart Bingham 5–1 and 8–5 to beat him 10–9.[55] He took a 9–7 advantage over Alan McManus after the second session of their second round match, but went on to lose 11–13.[56]

2016–17 season

[edit]

Carter whitewashed John Higgins 5–0 in the quarter-finals of the World Open and swept past Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 6–1 to play Joe Perry in the final.[57] He completed a 10–8 win to take his fourth ranking title and first since 2013, as well as regaining his place in the elite top 16.[58] At the Shanghai Masters he lost 1–5 in the quarter-finals to Stuart Bingham.[59] He reached the final of the German Masters by seeing off Martin Gould 6–2 and led Anthony Hamilton 5–2. However, he then lost seven of the next eight frames to be defeated 6–9.[60] Carter beat Shaun Murphy 5–4 and Neil Robertson 5–3 at the Players Championship and then was defeated 4–6 by Judd Trump in the semi-finals.[59] He lost 7–10 to Graeme Dott in the first round of the World Championship.[61]

2017–18 season

[edit]

Carter was a consistent performer in the 2017–18 season. He began by reaching the semi-finals of the China Championship, losing 4–6 to Shaun Murphy.[62] He also reached the quarter-finals of the International Championship after beating Jamie Barrett, Andrew Higginson, Stephen Maguire, and Shaun Murphy. In the quarter-final, Carter forced a decider after trailing 3–5 to Martin Gould, but eventually lost 5–6.[63] At the World Snooker Championship, he advanced to the quarter-finals after beating Graeme Dott and Ronnie O'Sullivan. He eventually lost 8–13 to Mark Williams.[64]

2018–19 season

[edit]

In October, Carter reached the quarter-finals of the English Open after wins over Rory McLeod, Luca Brecel, Matthew Selt, and Daniel Wells, before losing 2–5 to Stuart Bingham.[65] He then reached the quarter-finals of another ranking event, this time at the International Championship, but was whitewashed by Mark Allen 6–0.[66] The best result of the season for Carter came in the World Grand Prix in February. He defeated Martin O'Donnell, Mark Allen, David Gilbert, and Xiao Guodong to reach the final, but eventually lost 6–10 to Judd Trump.[67]

2019–20 season

[edit]

Carter took part in the 2020 Dafabet Masters, despite being ranked 17th, as a result of Ronnie O'Sullivan not wishing to compete. He reached the final for the first time in his career, his opponent was Stuart Bingham. Carter trailed 3–5 at the end of the first session, but then won the first four frames in the second session to take a lead of 7–5. Bingham responded well though and took the next four frames to be one frame away from victory, then eventually won 10–8.[68] Immediately after the Masters, Carter also reached the semi-finals of the European Masters, but lost 1–6 to Neil Robertson.[69]

Personal life

[edit]

Carter was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2003.[2] He has partly controlled this by limiting dairy and wheat/gluten in his diet.[70]

It was announced on 1 July 2013 that Carter had been diagnosed with testicular cancer.[71] He had surgery a day later and was advised to rest for a month.[72] On 19 July 2013, he reported on his Twitter page that he had received the all-clear and would resume his career at the Shanghai Masters in September.[73] He stated in April 2014 that he would have chosen to take a break from snooker for six to twelve months, but this had not been possible as he needed to regain his place in the top 16 of the world rankings.[74] A month later, World Snooker announced that Carter had been diagnosed with cancer in his lung and would be taking a break from the sport to receive a course of intensive chemotherapy.[42] In August 2014, he successfully completed treatment for this secondary tumour (metastatic recurrence of the testicular cancer), including surgery, and returned to the World Snooker Tour in October at the General Cup, which he won.[42][43][75]

Carter practised at Chelmsford's Rivermead Snooker Club before buying the club and becoming the new owner.[2] He also has a keen interest in flying and has a pilot's licence.[3]

His first child, with his ex-partner Sarah, was a son, born in 2009. He has a daughter with his ex-partner, Stella English, who was the winner of Series Six of The Apprentice in 2010.[76]

Performance and rankings timeline

[edit]
Tournament 1996/
97 		1997/
98 		1998/
99 		1999/
00 		2000/
01 		2001/
02 		2002/
03 		2003/
04 		2004/
05 		2005/
06 		2006/
07 		2007/
08 		2008/
09 		2009/
10 		2010/
11 		2011/
12 		2012/
13 		2013/
14 		2014/
15 		2015/
16 		2016/
17 		2017/
18 		2018/
19 		2019/
20 		2020/
21 		2021/
22 		2022/
23 		2023/
24 		2024/
25 		2025/
26
Ranking[nb 1] [nb 2] [nb 3] [nb 2] 142 92 61 31 17 19 19 15 14 7 5 4 6 17 16 13 29 32 12 11 17 19 24 20 11 10 17
Ranking tournaments
Championship League Tournament Not held Non-Ranking Event RR 3R 2R RR W RR
Saudi Arabia Masters Tournament Not Held 5R QF
Wuhan Open Tournament Not Held F 3R 1R
English Open Tournament Not Held 3R 2R QF 1R 1R 1R QF 3R 2R 2R
British Open LQ A LQ LQ LQ QF QF 1R 3R Tournament Not Held 4R LQ 3R LQ 3R
Xi'an Grand Prix Tournament Not Held LQ 1R
Northern Ireland Open Tournament Not Held WD 2R 4R 3R SF 1R LQ A 1R WD
International Championship Tournament Not Held 1R WD A 1R 3R QF QF 3R Not Held QF 2R WD
UK Championship LQ A LQ LQ LQ 2R 2R 3R QF QF 2R 1R SF QF 1R 2R SF 3R 1R 3R 3R 1R 3R 3R 1R 2R LQ 1R 2R LQ
Shoot Out Tournament Not Held Non-Ranking Event A 3R 2R 2R WD 3R 4R SF 3R WD
Scottish Open[nb 4] LQ A LQ 2R 3R 3R QF 2R Tournament Not Held MR Not Held 2R 2R 4R 2R 2R LQ 2R 2R 3R 1R
German Masters[nb 5] LQ A NR Tournament Not Held 2R 1R W 1R LQ 1R F LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ W QF 2R SF
World Grand Prix Tournament Not Held NR QF 2R 1R F 1R 1R 2R 1R 2R 1R QF
Players Championship[nb 6] Tournament Not Held DNQ DNQ 2R DNQ DNQ QF SF DNQ 1R DNQ DNQ DNQ F SF DNQ
Welsh Open LQ A 1R LQ LQ 1R 1R 1R 3R 1R QF QF W F SF 1R LQ 4R 4R 2R 3R 2R 1R 2R QF QF 2R LQ SF
World Open[nb 7] LQ A LQ SF LQ 1R 1R QF 2R 1R RR 2R SF 1R 1R WD WD 2R Not Held W A 2R 3R Not Held 2R SF
Tour Championship Tournament Not Held DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ QF QF DNQ
World Championship LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ LQ 1R 1R 2R 1R QF F 2R SF 2R F 2R 2R 2R 2R 1R QF QF LQ 1R LQ 1R 1R 1R
Non-ranking tournaments
Shanghai Masters Tournament Not Held Ranking Event A 1R Not Held 2R 2R F
Champion of Champions Tournament Not Held QF 1R 1R 1R A A A A A A QF 1R A
The Masters LQ LQ LQ 1R LQ LQ LQ LQ A LQ 1R 1R QF 1R 1R 1R 1R A QF A 1R 1R A F A A A F 1R A
World Masters of Snooker Tournament Not Held QF A A
Championship League Tournament Not Held RR RR RR SF RR F RR 2R 2R RR SF RR RR RR 2R RR RR WD WD WD
Former ranking tournaments
Asian Classic LQ Tournament Not Held
Malta Grand Prix Non-Ranking Event LQ NR Tournament Not Held
Thailand Masters[nb 8] LQ A LQ LQ LQ LQ NR Not Held NR Tournament Not Held
Irish Masters Non-Ranking Event 2R LQ LQ NH NR Tournament Not Held
Northern Ireland Trophy Tournament Not Held NR 2R 3R SF Tournament Not Held
Bahrain Championship Tournament Not Held 1R Tournament Not Held
Wuxi Classic[nb 9] Tournament Not Held Non-Ranking Event 1R 3R WD Tournament Not Held
Australian Goldfields Open Tournament Not Held 1R 1R A A 2R Tournament Not Held
Shanghai Masters Tournament Not Held 1R 1R 2R W 1R QF 1R A LQ QF 2R Non-Ranking Not Held Non-Ranking
Paul Hunter Classic[nb 10] Tournament Not Held Pro-am Event Minor-Ranking Event 3R A A NR Tournament Not Held
Indian Open Tournament Not Held WD WD NH LQ LQ A Tournament Not Held
China Open[nb 11] NH NR LQ LQ LQ 1R Not Held 1R LQ 2R 2R 2R SF QF QF 2R SF 1R 1R 2R 1R 2R Tournament Not Held
Riga Masters[nb 12] Tournament Not Held Minor-Rank 3R A 2R 1R Tournament Not Held
China Championship Tournament Not Held NR SF 1R LQ Tournament Not Held
WST Pro Series Tournament Not Held F Tournament Not Held
Turkish Masters Tournament Not Held QF Tournament Not Held
Gibraltar Open Tournament Not Held MR A WD WD WD 3R 3R Tournament Not Held
WST Classic Tournament Not Held SF Not Held
European Masters[nb 13] LQ NH LQ Not Held LQ LQ LQ LQ 1R SF NR Tournament Not Held 1R LQ 2R SF 2R 2R SF 1R Not Held
Former non-ranking tournaments
Scottish Masters A A A A A A LQ Tournament Not Held
Northern Ireland Trophy Tournament Not Held WR Ranking Event Tournament Not Held
Malta Cup[nb 13] R NH R Not Held Ranking Event RR Tournament Not Held Ranking Event
Huangshan Cup Tournament Not Held W Tournament Not Held
Masters Qualifying Event[nb 14] LQ LQ 1R W 1R 1R 2R LQ NH F A A A A Tournament Not Held
Beijing International Challenge Tournament Not Held RR RR Tournament Not Held
Hainan Classic Tournament Not Held SF Tournament Not Held
Wuxi Classic[nb 9] Tournament Not Held RR RR A F Ranking Event Tournament Not Held
Brazil Masters Tournament Not Held QF Tournament Not Held
Power Snooker Tournament Not Held SF 1R Tournament Not Held
Premier League[nb 15] A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A RR A Tournament Not Held
General Cup[nb 16] Tournament Not Held A Tournament Not Held A NH A A A W WD Tournament Not Held
Shoot Out Tournament Not Held 2R 1R 1R 3R 2R 3R Ranking Event
China Championship Tournament Not Held QF Ranking Event Tournament Not Held
Romanian Masters Tournament Not Held SF Tournament Not Held
Six-red World Championship[nb 17] Tournament Not Held A A A NH A A A A A A A QF Not Held WD Not Held
Performance Table Legend
LQ Lost in the qualifying draw #R Lost in the early rounds of the tournament
(WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin) 		QF Lost in the quarter-finals
SF Lost in the semi-finals F Lost in the final W Won the tournament
DNQ Did not qualify for the tournament A Did not participate in the tournament WD Withdrew from the tournament
NH / Not held means an event was not held.
NR / Non-ranking event means an event is/was no longer a ranking event.
R / Ranking event means an event is/was a ranking event.
MR / Minor-ranking event means an event is/was a minor-ranking event.
PA / Pro-am event means an event is/was a pro-am event.
  1. ^ It shows the ranking at the beginning of the season
  2. ^ a b New players on the Main Tour don't have a ranking
  3. ^ He was an amateur
  4. ^ The event was called the International Open (1996/1997) and the Players Championship (2003/2004)
  5. ^ The event was called the German Open (1996/1997–1997/1998)
  6. ^ The event was called the Players Tour Championship Grand Final (2010/2011–2015/2016)
  7. ^ The event was called the Grand Prix (1996/1997–2000/2001 and 2004/2005–2009/2010) and the LG Cup (2001/2002–2003/2004)
  8. ^ The event was called the Thailand Open (1996/1997)
  9. ^ a b The event was called the Jiangsu Classic (2008/2009–2009/2010)
  10. ^ The event was called the Grand Prix Fürth (2004/2005) and the Fürth German Open (2005/2006–2006/2007)
  11. ^ The event was called the China International (1997/1998–1998/1999)
  12. ^ The event was called the Riga Open (2014/2015–2015/2016)
  13. ^ a b The event was called the European Open (1996/1997 and 2001/2002–2003/2004), the Irish Open (1998/1999) and the Malta Cup (2004/2005–2007/2008)
  14. ^ The event was called the Benson & Hedges Championship (1993/1994-2002/2003)
  15. ^ The event was called the European League (1996/1997)
  16. ^ The event was called the General Cup International (2004/2005–2011/2012)
  17. ^ The event was called the Six-red Snooker International (2008/2009) and the Six-red World Grand Prix (2009/2010)

Career finals

[edit]

Ranking finals: 14 (6 titles)

[edit]
Legend
World Championship (0–2)
Other (6–6)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Runner-up 1. 2008 World Snooker Championship England Ronnie O'Sullivan 8–18
Winner 1. 2009 Welsh Open Northern Ireland Joe Swail 9–5
Runner-up 2. 2010 Welsh Open Scotland John Higgins 4–9
Winner 2. 2010 Shanghai Masters Scotland Jamie Burnett 10–7
Runner-up 3. 2012 World Snooker Championship (2) England Ronnie O'Sullivan 11–18
Winner 3. 2013 German Masters Hong Kong Marco Fu 9–6
Winner 4. 2016 World Open England Joe Perry 10–8
Runner-up 4. 2017 German Masters England Anthony Hamilton 6–9
Runner-up 5. 2019 World Grand Prix England Judd Trump 6–10
Runner-up 6. 2021 WST Pro Series Wales Mark Williams Round-Robin
Winner 5. 2023 German Masters (2) England Tom Ford 10–3
Runner-up 7. 2023 Players Championship England Shaun Murphy 4–10
Runner-up 8. 2023 Wuhan Open England Judd Trump 7–10
Winner 6. 2024 Championship League Wales Jackson Page 3–1

Minor-ranking finals: 1 (1 title)

[edit]
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Winner 1. 2015 Paul Hunter Classic England Shaun Murphy 4–3

Non-ranking finals: 13 (4 titles)

[edit]
Legend
The Masters (0–2)
Other (4–6)
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score
Winner 1. 1999 Benson and Hedges Championship England Simon Bedford 9–4
Runner-up 1. 2002 Scottish Masters Qualifying Event Scotland Drew Henry 3–5
Runner-up 2. 2005 Masters Qualifying Event England Stuart Bingham 3–6
Winner 2. 2008 Huangshan Cup Hong Kong Marco Fu 5–3
Runner-up 3. 2011 Wuxi Classic England Mark Selby 7–9
Runner-up 4. 2013 Championship League England Martin Gould 2–3
Winner 3. 2014 General Cup England Shaun Murphy 7–6
Runner-up 5. 2017 World Games England Kyren Wilson 1–3
Runner-up 6. 2020 The Masters England Stuart Bingham 8–10
Runner-up 7. 2023 Macau Masters – Event 1 England Mark Selby 3–6
Runner-up 8. 2024 The Masters (2) England Ronnie O'Sullivan 7–10
Winner 4. 2024 Helsinki International Cup England Kyren Wilson 6–3
Runner-up 9. 2025 Shanghai Masters England Kyren Wilson 9–11

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ali Carter

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Allister Carter (born 25 July 1979), known professionally as Ali Carter and nicknamed "The Captain" due to his passion for piloting aeroplanes, is an English professional snooker player who has been a prominent figure on the World Snooker Tour since turning professional in 1996. Carter's career is marked by remarkable resilience, having overcome significant health challenges including a diagnosis of Crohn's disease in 2003, testicular cancer in 2013, and a lung tumour in 2014, all while maintaining competitive form and returning to win major titles post-recovery. His determination earned him a peak world ranking of number two, and he has compiled four maximum 147 breaks, including one during his run to the 2008 World Snooker Championship final. Among his most notable achievements are six ranking event victories: the Welsh Open in 2008 and 2009, the Shanghai Masters in 2010, the German Masters in 2013 and 2023, the World Open in 2016 (his first title after battling cancer), and the Championship League in 2024. Carter has reached 14 ranking finals overall and twice been runner-up in the World Championship, losing to Ronnie O'Sullivan in both the 2008 and 2012 editions at the Crucible Theatre. He also finished as runner-up in the Masters in 2020 and 2024, solidifying his status as a consistent performer in snooker's Triple Crown events. As of November 2025, Carter remains an active competitor on the tour, ranked 19th in the world, with recent highlights including a 147 break at the 2025 English Open—his fourth career maximum—and participation in events like the Shanghai Masters final earlier that year, though he withdrew from the Northern Ireland Open for personal reasons. His prize money earnings for the 2025/26 season exceed £360,000 as of November 2025, reflecting his ongoing professional dedication.

Early life and amateur career

Early years

Allister Carter, known professionally as Ali Carter, was born on 25 July 1979 in Colchester, Essex, England. Growing up in Essex, Carter was introduced to snooker during his childhood, where he played the game alongside future rival Ronnie O'Sullivan at local clubs. His family provided early support for his sporting interests, fostering an environment that encouraged his development in the sport. Alongside snooker, Carter developed a strong passion for aviation from a young age; he earned his Private Pilot's Licence during his early career and later acquired his own light aircraft, which inspired his nickname "The Captain." He attended local schools in Colchester while balancing these pursuits. This foundation in snooker during his youth paved the way for his transition to competitive amateur play.

Amateur achievements

Carter began competing in amateur snooker during the mid-1990s, achieving success in local and national junior events. His accomplishments extended to reaching finals in several under-21 events, contributing to his growing reputation within the English amateur circuit. These performances highlighted his technical skill and competitive edge among peers. Carter turned professional in the 1996/1997 season following his amateur successes.

Professional career

Early professional years (1998–2007)

Ali Carter turned professional in 1996 at the age of 17, but his early years on the main tour were marked by limited appearances and modest results, with him remaining unranked in the provisional world rankings through the 2000/2001 season. He gained entry to the professional circuit via the qualifying routes and minor tours, such as the UK Tour, where he reached quarter-finals in events during the 1997/1998 season, earning £2,800 in prize money. By the 1998/1999 season, Carter began competing in more ranking tournaments, advancing to the last 64 of the Welsh Open and last 32 of the Benson & Hedges Championship (a non-ranking event), while compiling his first professional century breaks—four in total that season. His earnings remained low at around £5,000 for the year, reflecting his position outside the top 100 and the challenges of establishing consistency against established players. Carter's breakthrough came in 1999 when, at age 20, he won the non-ranking Benson & Hedges Championship, defeating Simon Bedford 9–7 in the final to secure the title and the WPBSA Young Player of the Year award. This victory earned him a wildcard entry to the Masters and highlighted his potential, as he also reached the semi-finals of the Grand Prix ranking event, notably defeating then-World Champion Stephen Hendry en route. Despite these highlights, Carter faced ongoing struggles with form and finances in the early 2000s, ending the 2001/2002 season ranked 83rd and improving gradually to 68th the following year, often relying on qualifying wins for main-draw access. His first professional century in a ranking event came during these years, though specific records show steady accumulation rather than prolific output initially. By 2003, Carter qualified for his Crucible Theatre debut at the World Snooker Championship, marking the start of consistent main-stage appearances, though he exited in the first round. His rankings climbed into the top 50 by the end of the 2003/2004 season (48th), supported by deeper runs in events like the last 32 at several ranking tournaments. This progression continued, with him reaching 36th in 2004/2005 and entering the top 20 (18th) by 2005/2006, aided by strong qualifying performances and upsets against higher-ranked opponents. In 2007, Carter achieved a career highlight by reaching the World Championship quarter-finals, defeating Andy Hicks 10–4 in the first round and Hendry 13–6 in the second, before losing 13–11 to Ronnie O'Sullivan—their first professional encounter—in a closely contested match that showcased his growing competitiveness among the elite. Ending the 2006/2007 season ranked 13th, Carter had solidified his status as a rising contender on the tour.

2008 World Championship final

Carter's path to his first World Snooker Championship final began at the Crucible Theatre with a tense first-round victory over Barry Hawkins, prevailing 10–9 in a match that extended over three sessions and saw Carter come from behind after Hawkins leveled at 9–9. In the second round, he delivered a dominant performance against then-provisional world number one Shaun Murphy, winning 13–4 with clinical break-building that included several half-centuries, exposing Murphy's ongoing struggles with form and illness. Carter advanced to the quarter-finals, where he faced 2002 champion Peter Ebdon and secured a 13–9 win highlighted by a historic maximum 147 break in the 17th frame—the second of the tournament after O'Sullivan's earlier effort—demonstrating his precision under pressure despite Ebdon's tactical resistance. The semi-final against Joe Perry proved equally grueling, with Carter edging a 17–15 victory in an epic encounter that saw the score tied at 12–12 before the final session, where his resilience and key breaks of 110 and subsequent frames propelled him to his maiden ranking final. This run, marked by comebacks and high-pressure wins, showcased Carter's growing composure on snooker's biggest stage, setting up a showdown with defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan. In the final, Carter faced an overwhelming display from O'Sullivan, losing 8–18 in a one-sided affair where the Rocket's superior cue power and breaks, including multiple centuries, proved decisive. Despite the defeat, Carter's performance was notable for maintaining focus amid the disparity, compiling several high breaks in the 70s and 80s early on before fatigue set in, and earning praise for his dignified handling of the lopsided scoreline. The immediate aftermath saw Carter's stock rise dramatically; his runner-up finish propelled him to fourth in the world rankings at the end of the 2007–08 season, a significant leap from his pre-tournament seeding of 14th, securing his place among snooker's elite. This achievement drew widespread media attention, elevating his profile and solidifying his reputation as a top contender. His hobby of piloting small aircraft, a passion he pursued alongside his career, inspired his nickname "The Captain," which gained traction during this period as commentators highlighted his steady demeanor akin to a pilot navigating turbulence. The final's exposure boosted Carter's confidence, transforming his tour status from consistent performer to genuine title threat and paving the way for future successes.

2009–2012: Ranking titles and second World final

Following his appearance in the 2008 World Championship final, Carter built on that momentum by securing his maiden ranking title at the 2009 Welsh Open in Newport, Wales. He overcame a 2–5 deficit in the final against Joe Swail, winning seven consecutive frames to triumph 9–5 and claim the £35,000 prize. Carter defended his Welsh Open crown in 2010 but fell short in the final, losing 4–9 to John Higgins despite a strong showing as the defending champion. Later that year, he captured his second ranking event at the 2010 Shanghai Masters, defeating Jamie Burnett 10–7 in the final after a closely contested match that saw the score tied at 7–7 before Carter pulled ahead with breaks of 65 and 62. The victory earned him £60,000 and propelled him to a career-high world ranking of No. 2, behind only Neil Robertson. During the 2009–2012 period, Carter maintained consistent form within the world's top 10 rankings, finishing the 2009–10 season at No. 5 and the 2010–11 season at No. 6, bolstered by deep runs in major events including quarter-finals at the UK Championship and Masters. His stability in the elite tier was underscored by multiple century breaks, though he did not compile a maximum during this exact window—his career second 147 came later in qualifying for the 2017 German Masters. In the 2011–12 season, Carter's trajectory peaked with a run to his second World Championship final at the Crucible Theatre. He navigated a challenging draw, defeating Jamie Cope, Stephen Lee, and Mark Williams in earlier rounds before edging Stephen Maguire 17–12 in the semi-final with gritty resilience, including a crucial 71-break in the decider. In the final, however, he was outplayed by Ronnie O'Sullivan, who won 18–11 to secure his fourth world title, with Carter managing only sporadic resistance after trailing 10–7 overnight.

2013–2019: Health issues and recovery

In February 2013, Carter secured his third ranking title by defeating Marco Fu 9–6 in the final of the German Masters in Berlin, coming from behind to win six of the last seven frames. Later that year, in July 2013, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer following the discovery of a tumour, leading to immediate surgery and a course of chemotherapy. The diagnosis prompted withdrawals from upcoming events, including the International Championship and Australian Goldfields Open qualifiers, as he focused on treatment. Carter received the all-clear on July 19, 2013, and made a successful return to competitive play at the Paul Hunter Classic in August, where he reached the final before losing to Stuart Bingham. The following year brought further challenges when, in May 2014, Carter was diagnosed with lung cancer—a recurrence of the testicular cancer that had metastasized to his lung—necessitating an intensive course of chemotherapy starting in June. He missed the early part of the 2014–15 season, including the World Snooker Championship qualifiers, with World Snooker freezing his ranking position at 13th to support his recovery. Carter completed treatment in August 2014 and returned to the tour in October, winning the non-ranking General Cup in Hong Kong against Li Hang. He was given the all-clear from lung cancer in December 2014, but the extended absence contributed to a significant drop in his world ranking, falling to 29th by the end of the 2014–15 season and outside the top 32 for the first time since 2005. Carter's rankings continued to fluctuate in the subsequent seasons, dipping to 32nd at the end of 2015–16 amid ongoing recovery efforts, before a strong resurgence in 2016. That year, he claimed his fourth ranking title at the World Open in Yushan, China, edging out Joe Perry 10–8 in the final—his first major victory since the 2013 German Masters and a testament to his comeback from illness. The win propelled him back into the top 16, finishing the 2016–17 season at 12th. By the 2017–18 season, Carter maintained consistency, ending at 11th despite reaching several semi-finals but no titles. The 2018–19 season marked a period of steady recovery, with Carter reaching finals at the English Open (losing to Kyren Wilson) and the Scottish Open (losing to Neil Robertson), alongside a semi-final appearance at the German Masters. These performances helped stabilize his standing, though he secured no ranking titles, concluding the season at 17th in the world rankings. Throughout this period, Carter's health battles, compounded by his ongoing management of Crohn's disease, intermittently affected his form, but his resilience allowed for progressive improvements in results without major tournament successes.

2020–2025: Resurgence and recent successes

Following his recovery from health challenges in 2019, Ali Carter demonstrated a strong resurgence in professional snooker, marked by consistent performances and renewed success on the tour. In the 2019–20 season, disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Carter reached the final of The Masters in January 2020, where he led early but ultimately lost 10–8 to Stuart Bingham at Alexandra Palace, with Bingham becoming the event's oldest winner at age 43. This appearance highlighted Carter's competitive edge amid a season that saw widespread tournament cancellations and rescheduling. Carter's form continued to build into the 2022–23 season, culminating in his first ranking title in seven years at the 2023 German Masters. In the Berlin final, he dominated Tom Ford with a 10–3 victory, securing his second German Masters crown and fifth overall ranking title, a performance he attributed in part to listening to Whitney Houston for inspiration during the event. The 2023–24 season brought further highlights, starting with Carter's victory at the Championship League in July 2024, where he defeated Jackson Page 3–1 in the final to claim his sixth ranking title and £33,000 in prize money. Later that season, he advanced to the final of The Masters in January 2024, again at Alexandra Palace, but fell 10–7 to Ronnie O'Sullivan after leading 6–3, with O'Sullivan mounting a comeback to secure his record-extending eighth title. Entering the 2024–25 season, Carter maintained his momentum with notable achievements in 2025. He reached the final of the Shanghai Masters in August, where world number two Kyren Wilson edged him out 11–9 in a tightly contested match, denying Carter a seventh ranking title. In September, during the English Open in Brentwood, Carter compiled the fourth 147 break of his career—and the season's tenth maximum—against Aaron Hill in the last 32, though he lost the match 4–3 despite the milestone effort. Carter qualified for the 2025 World Snooker Championship by defeating Ian Burns 10–8 in the final qualifying round. In the first round at the Crucible, he faced Ronnie O'Sullivan and lost 4–10. In October 2025, Carter withdrew from the Northern Ireland Open for personal reasons. He also withdrew from the International Championship later that month. As of November 2025, Carter is ranked 19th in the world.

Personal life

Health challenges

Ali Carter was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition, in 2003 at the age of approximately 24. The illness initially manifested as severe stomach pains, significant weight loss, inability to retain food, and frequent digestive issues, which persisted for months before diagnosis. He underwent three surgical operations to manage complications from the condition over the years. Carter has since controlled the disease primarily through medication and strict dietary modifications, including the elimination of red meat, dairy, wheat, and gluten, allowing him to maintain long-term stability without major flare-ups. In July 2013, Carter was diagnosed with testicular cancer following the discovery of a lump during a routine check. He underwent surgery shortly after the diagnosis on July 1, 2013, which successfully removed the tumor, and received the all-clear by July 19, 2013, after follow-up examinations confirmed no further spread. The recovery process was relatively swift, with Carter resuming normal activities within weeks, though he continued regular oncological monitoring. Carter faced another health crisis in May 2014 when he was diagnosed with a recurrence of his testicular cancer that had metastasized to his lung, presenting as a small tumor the size of a 10p coin that had spread to nearby lymph nodes, detected during a routine scan related to his prior cancer monitoring. He completed three cycles of intensive chemotherapy starting in late May 2014, which caused severe side effects including extreme fatigue, nausea, hair loss, mouth sores, tinnitus, vision disturbances, and loss of libido. In September 2014, he underwent a 2.5-hour surgical procedure via his left shoulder blade to remove the remaining tumor tissue. Carter was declared in remission and given the all-clear in December 2014, marking the end of active treatment. In April 2025, Carter sustained a severe neck injury during qualifying for the World Snooker Championship, experiencing excruciating pain that nearly forced his withdrawal; he received emergency treatment over the Easter weekend and went on to compete in the main draw. The cumulative impact of these conditions has led to ongoing long-term effects, notably sustained weight fluctuations—initial losses from Crohn's and chemotherapy followed by gradual regain during recovery—and enhanced mental resilience forged through repeated battles with illness. Carter has described these experiences as transformative, instilling a positive mindset and deeper appreciation for life that has helped him navigate challenges without major recurrences reported as of 2025. These health struggles occasionally necessitated brief career withdrawals for treatment and recovery.

Family and relationships

Ali Carter has a son named Max, born in 2009 from a previous relationship. He was in a relationship with Stella English, a former The Apprentice winner, from 2016 until their separation around 2023. Together, they welcomed a daughter, Olivia, in 2017. Carter tends to keep his personal life private, sharing limited details about his relationships and family in public interviews. His family has played a vital role in offering emotional support, particularly during his health challenges, where his son Max served as a primary motivation for recovery from lung cancer. This familial stability has also been essential amid the demands of his professional snooker career, which involves frequent international travels.

Interests and business ventures

Ali Carter has developed a strong passion for aviation outside of snooker, obtaining his private pilot's license during a period away from the professional tour. This hobby not only serves as a personal pursuit but also inspired his widely recognized nickname, "The Captain," reflecting his command in the cockpit as well as on the baize. In the business realm, Carter acquired the Rivermead Snooker Club in Chelmsford, Essex, in the late 2000s after honing his skills there as an emerging player. As owner, he has contributed to fostering the local snooker scene by maintaining the venue as a hub for players at all levels. Beyond these ventures, Carter engages in fitness routines to sustain his physical condition amid the rigors of professional snooker, while also participating in cancer awareness initiatives by publicly sharing his experiences with the disease to support others facing similar challenges. He balances his intensive tour schedule with dedicated personal time, often dedicating moments to flying as a form of relaxation and mental recharge.

Career statistics

Performance and rankings timeline

Ali Carter's performance and rankings timeline reflects a career marked by steady progression from modest beginnings to elite status, interrupted by significant health challenges that led to temporary declines. He turned professional in 1996 and initially competed primarily in qualifiers, gradually breaking into the main draws of ranking events by the mid-2000s. His peak came in the 2010–11 season when he reached world number 2, but subsequent years saw fluctuations, including a drop outside the top 32 during recovery periods. The snooker ranking system underwent a major revision in 2014, shifting from a two-year rolling points total to a one-year system, which affected seeding and qualification requirements; top-16 players receive automatic entry to main draws, while others must qualify. The following table summarizes key seasonal data, including start and end-of-season rankings (where NR denotes not ranked), representative best results in ranking events (focusing on wins, finals, or notable deep runs), and total prize money earned. Data highlights his resurgence post-2016 and recovery to the top 20 by 2023–25.
SeasonStart RankEnd RankBest Ranking ResultPrize Money (GBP)
1996–97NRNRL128 British Open (qualifiers)1,100
1997–98NRNRL128 Grand Prix (qualifiers)2,800
1998–99NRNRL64 World Championship (qualifiers)4,985
1999–00NR81SF Benson & Hedges Championship (non-ranking)48,325
2000–018164L16 British Open17,550
2001–026438L16 Welsh Open62,100
2002–033831L16 LG Cup71,660
2003–043121L16 World Championship62,700
2004–052118QF UK Championship49,025
2005–061817SF Malta Cup35,630
2006–071714SF Grand Prix77,775
2007–08147World Championship final269,275
2008–0975Welsh Open win138,550
2009–1054SF China Open134,620
2010–1146Shanghai Masters win148,792
2011–12617World Championship final209,081
2012–131713German Masters win180,223
2013–141315SF Gdynia Open101,750
2014–151529Paul Hunter Classic win (minor-ranking)71,000
2015–162932QF Welsh Open114,450
2016–173212World Open win276,825
2017–181211QF World Championship160,750
2018–191117L32 World Championship193,100
2019–201716SF English Open208,140
2020–211624QF Players Championship99,800
2021–222420QF Tour Championship96,050
2022–232012German Masters win246,600
2023–241210World Grand Prix semi-final425,000
2024–251016SF World Championship257,700
2025–26*16—Final Shanghai Masters183,750
*Ongoing season as of November 2025. Rankings reflect provisional standings; prize money includes all professional events. Best results emphasize high-impact achievements establishing career progression, such as his six ranking titles and four World Championship appearances. During lower-ranked seasons (e.g., 2014–16), Carter often relied on strong qualifying performances to reach main draws, showcasing resilience amid health setbacks. Provisional ranking as of November 15, 2025: 18th.

Ranking finals

Ali Carter has reached 13 finals in ranking events on the World Snooker Tour, winning six of them and establishing himself as a consistent performer in high-stakes tournaments. His victories span a diverse range of events, particularly in European and Asian competitions, where he has demonstrated tactical acumen and resilience under pressure. Losses in these finals have often come against top-ranked opponents, highlighting competitive battles that have contributed to his career earnings exceeding £1.5 million from ranking titles alone. Carter's first ranking title came at the 2009 Welsh Open, where he overcame a 5-2 deficit against Joe Swail to secure a 9-5 victory in Newport, claiming £50,000 and marking his breakthrough after years on the tour. This win propelled him into the top 16 rankings for the first time. The following year, he defended his Welsh Open crown but fell short in the 2010 final, losing 9-4 to John Higgins despite a strong qualifying campaign. Carter rebounded with his second title at the 2010 Shanghai Masters, defeating Jamie Burnett 10-7 in a match featuring multiple half-centuries, earning £60,000 and briefly elevating him to world number two. In 2013, Carter added the German Masters to his resume with a 9-6 win over Marco Fu in Berlin, showcasing precise long potting in a 6-3 second-session turnaround to pocket €80,000. His path included victories over higher seeds like Neil Robertson, underscoring his European prowess. Carter reached the 2017 German Masters final as well but lost 9-6 to Anthony Hamilton in a tight encounter dominated by safety battles. Later that decade, health challenges limited his appearances, but he returned strongly in 2016 to win the World Open 10-8 against Joe Perry in Yushan, China, where a 145 break in the final session sealed his fourth title and £75,000 prize. Carter's 2008 and 2012 World Championship finals remain defining moments, both ending in defeat to Ronnie O'Sullivan—18-8 in the former, where Carter's 147 in the semi-finals boosted his confidence but couldn't overcome O'Sullivan's dominance, and 18-11 in the latter, a more competitive affair featuring Carter's gritty recovery from an early deficit. These runs netted him £125,000 each as runner-up, the highest single-event prizes of his career. In recent years, Carter has shown resurgence, reaching three finals in 2023: a 10-7 defeat to Judd Trump in the inaugural Wuhan Open, where Trump's breaks of 140 and 133 proved decisive. He capped the year with a dominant 10-3 German Masters win over Tom Ford, his fifth title and £80,000, ending a seven-year drought with flawless potting efficiency. Continuing his strong form, Carter lost the 2019 World Grand Prix final 10-6 to Judd Trump after leading 3-1, with Trump's three centuries shifting momentum in Cheltenham. In 2024, he secured his sixth ranking title at the Championship League, beating Jackson Page 3-1 in the winners' group final for £33,000, leveraging his group-stage consistency. Most recently, on August 3, 2025, Carter fell 11-9 to Kyren Wilson in the Shanghai Masters final, a marathon match with 20 frames featuring Carter's 138 break but undone by Wilson's late surge, earning £125,000 as runner-up. Carter's ranking finals record reflects a 46.2% win rate, with particular success in shorter formats and Asian events, where he has won four of his titles.
YearEventOpponentResultScorePrize Money (Winner/Runner-up)
2008World ChampionshipRonnie O'SullivanLoss8–18£250,000 / £125,000
2009Welsh OpenJoe SwailWin9–5£50,000 / £25,000
2010Welsh OpenJohn HigginsLoss4–9£35,000 / £17,500
2010Shanghai MastersJamie BurnettWin10–7£60,000 / £30,000
2012World ChampionshipRonnie O'SullivanLoss11–18£250,000 / £125,000
2013German MastersMarco FuWin9–6€80,000 / €35,000
2016World OpenJoe PerryWin10–8£75,000 / £35,000
2017German MastersAnthony HamiltonLoss6–9€80,000 / £35,000
2019World Grand PrixJudd TrumpLoss6–10£100,000 / £40,000
2023Wuhan OpenJudd TrumpLoss7–10£175,000 / £75,000
2023German MastersTom FordWin10–3€80,000 / €35,000
2024Championship LeagueJackson PageWin3–1£33,000 / £16,000
2025Shanghai MastersKyren WilsonLoss9–11£200,000 / £125,000

Minor-ranking and non-ranking finals

Carter reached his sole minor-ranking final at the 2015 Paul Hunter Classic in Fürth, Germany, where he overcame Shaun Murphy 4–3 in a deciding frame thriller featuring a crucial 95-break by Carter to secure the title. This victory marked his first professional triumph since recovering from lung cancer, providing a significant boost to his confidence and ranking status early in the 2015–16 season. In non-ranking tournaments, Carter has competed in numerous invitational and qualifying events, achieving four titles across 13 finals. His early career highlight came in 1999 at the Benson & Hedges Championship, a knockout event for players outside the world's top 64, where he defeated Simon Bedford 9–4 in the final to earn a wildcard entry to the Masters. Following his 2014 diagnosis with testicular and lung cancer, Carter made an inspiring return by winning the General Cup in Hong Kong, rallying from behind to beat Shaun Murphy 7–6 in the final and claim his second non-ranking crown. Other notable appearances include the 2017 World Games snooker event in Wrocław, Poland, an invitational showcase where Carter fell 1–3 to Kyren Wilson in the gold medal match despite strong earlier performances. In the 2023 Champion of Champions, an elite invitational featuring recent tournament winners, Carter advanced to the Group 4 final but lost 2–6 to Mark Allen, who went on to win the overall title. These results underscore Carter's consistency in high-stakes, non-ranking formats, often against top opposition, contributing to his reputation as a resilient competitor outside major ranking series.

Breaks and records

Ali Carter has achieved four maximum breaks of 147 in his professional snooker career, a feat that underscores his precision and break-building prowess. His first 147 came on 29 April 2008 during the World Snooker Championship against Peter Ebdon, marking the second maximum of the tournament after Ronnie O'Sullivan's earlier effort and earning him a share of the £157,000 high break bonus. The second occurred in the 2017 German Masters qualifying round against Liang Wenbo. His third maximum was compiled at the 2021 British Open against Kurt Maflin in the last 16. Carter's fourth and most recent 147 was made on 17 September 2025 at the English Open against Aaron Hill in the last 32, contributing to the season's tenth maximum and sharing the £5,000 high break prize. Notably, each of Carter's maximums has occurred in an event where at least one other player also achieved a 147, a unique statistic highlighted by commentator Neil Foulds. As of November 2025, Carter has compiled 456 century breaks (100+ points), ranking him 17th on the all-time list among professional players and reflecting his consistency as a break builder. His highest recorded break is the maximum 147, achieved on four occasions, with no higher scores possible under standard rules. In comparison to peers, Carter's century total trails leaders like Ronnie O'Sullivan (1,236) but surpasses many top-20 players, such as David Gilbert (428), emphasizing his sustained scoring ability over two decades. Carter's break-building is supported by his meticulous playing style, characterized by strong cue ball control and long potting accuracy, which allows for effective positional play during extended runs. He favors a John Parris cue, a brand known for its balanced design that suits his precise technique.

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  59. https://www.the-sun.com/sport/11167047/snooker-glam-wives-girlfriends-actress-equestrian/
  60. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/27146456
  61. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/apr/17/ali-carter-snooker-world-championship
  62. https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/snooker-stars-battle-testicular-cancer-male-cancer-awareness-week
  63. https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/ali-carter-exclusive-i-nearly-quit-snooker-last-year-now-i-want-to-be-world-champion/208694
  64. https://cuetracker.net/players/ali-carter/career-total-statistics
  65. https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=158
  66. https://snookerhq.com/2023/02/06/ali-carter-player-profile-career-summary-stats/
  67. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/8490376.stm
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  70. https://wpbsa.com/carter-wins-world-open/
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  76. https://cuetracker.net/tournaments/benson-and-hedges-championship/1999/319
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  81. https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/snooker/news/3495437/carter-gets-his-maximum
  82. https://cuetracker.net/players/ali-carter/maximums
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  84. https://www.totallysnookered.com/sport/snooker/players/going-halves-ali-carter-points-out-his-bizarre-career-stat-after-brentwood-maximum-as-he-shares-the-147-love-5323845
  85. https://snookerinfo.co.uk/
  86. https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/snooker/news/5166001/crucible-contenders
  87. https://www.parriscues.com/gallery/index/images/id/7
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