Ali Carter is an English professional best known for reaching two World Championship finals and climbing as high as number two in the world rankings, winning multiple ranking titles across a long career at the top level.
Ali Carter – Career Snapshot
| Date of birth: | 25 July 1979 |
| From: | England |
| Turned professional: | 1996 |
| Highest world ranking: | No. 2 |
| Ranking titles: | 6 |
| World Championship titles: | 0 |
| Triple Crown titles: | 0 |
| Masters appearances: | 14 |
| Maximum 147 breaks: | 3 |
Ali Carter’s Snooker Career
After first turning professional in 1996, Ali Carter spent a lot of his first decade on the main tour in the peripheries of the higher echelons. Known as the Captain for his love of aviation away from the table, Carter had undoubted potential but spent several seasons ranked just outside the top 16.
Carter made frequent appearances in the last eight of ranking tournaments and finally cracked the elite bracket in time for the 2006/07 campaign. But it was in 2008 when he really began to make a name for himself as one of the sport’s top competitors.
A 147 break at the Crucible Theatre helped him on his way to an appearance in that year’s World Championship final. Carter lost to Ronnie O’Sullivan, but the confidence gained was apparent a year later when he bagged a maiden ranking title at the 2009 Welsh Open.
A second triumph in the 2010 Shanghai Masters helped his ranking soar to a career-high of number two in the world. In 2012, he was back in another World Championship title decider but unfortunately ran into an unstoppable O’Sullivan for a second time.
A third ranking glory materialised not long after with a superb success in the 2013 German Masters at the Tempodrom. But Carter, who had already suffered with Crohn’s disease for many years, was diagnosed with testicular cancer later that year. After coming through chemotherapy, Carter returned in magnificent fashion to win the non-ranking General Cup in 2014.
Two years later, there was a fourth ranking crown with his defeat of Joe Perry to land the 2016 World Open. A Masters finalist in 2020, Carter began to slip down the rankings and appearances in the latter stages of tournaments gradually became less frequent. But in early 2023, the Englishman took advantage of a weakened German Masters field to capture a fifth ranking title, and a second in Berlin.
The following year, after finishing runner-up to O’Sullivan at the Masters, Carter added further ranking success with victory in Championship League Snooker.
Ali Carter’s Ranking Titles
Ali Carter has won 6 ranking titles during his professional career.
| Year | Tournament |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Welsh Open |
| 2010 | Shanghai Masters |
| 2013 | German Masters |
| 2016 | World Open |
| 2023 | German Masters |
| 2024 | Championship League Snooker |
Other Major Titles and Notable Wins
- Paul Hunter Classic (2015)
- General Cup (2014)
Ali Carter and the Triple Crown
Ali Carter has won zero Triple Crown titles during his professional career, losing in four finals across the major series.
- World Championship: 0 titles
- UK Championship: 0 titles
- Masters: 0 titles
SHQ Star Rating: ★★★★★
SnookerHQ uses a seven-point star scale based on the scoring values of snooker balls, with a black (7) representing the highest career classification. Ratings are assigned using career achievements, longevity, and historical impact.
Ali Carter: ★★★★★
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Featured photo credit: WST