Snooker

Carter diagnosed with lung cancer

ESPN staff

May 24, 2014

Ali Carter has won three ranking titles during his career © Getty Images

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Two-time World Championship finalist Ali Carter has been diagnosed with a form of lung cancer.

World Snooker said in a statement Carter will undergo an intensive course of chemotherapy. The 34-year-old made a full recovery from testicular cancer last year to resume his playing career.

Carter, who suffers from Crohn's disease, has been forced to withdraw from qualifying for the Wuxi Classic in Gloucester this weekend for the start of the 2014-15 season.

"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," World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association chairman Jason Ferguson said.

Carter lost to Ronnie O'Sullivan in both world finals in 2008 and 2012 and has won three ranking titles, claiming his first at the Welsh Open in 2009 and adding the Shanghai Masters and German Masters in 2010 and 2013 respectively.