Star snooker player Carter suffers testicular cancer

London, July 2: Snooker player Ali Carter will undergo surgery on Tuesday, after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Carter, a beaten finalist at last year's World Championship, received the news from doctors last week and will undergo chemotherapy following the operation, reports Xinhua.

It is another health setback for the 33-year-old from Essex, who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease back in 2003 and has had a well-documented struggle with the illness.

The former World No.2, who has won three ranking events in his professional career, reached the final at the Crucible in both 2008 and 2012, where he lost to Ronnie O'Sullivan on both occasions.

"Thank you, everyone for their support," Tweeted Carter. He further added, "Just want to get through this week then I will concentrate on getting better. Love you all."

Barry Hearn, the chairman of the sport's governing body World Snooker said,"Ali has shown in his battle against Crohn's disease that he is a fighter. We hope for a positive outcome and everyone in snooker is 100 per cent behind him. We look forward to seeing him back on the circuit soon."

IANS