Ali Carter reveals phone call with Ronnie O'Sullivan's dad during cancer treatment

Ali Carter reveals phone call with Ronnie O'Sullivan's dad during cancer treatment Ali Carter has shared details of a phone call he received from rival Ronnie O'Sullivan's dad while undergoing cancer treatment Ali Carter has revealed the heartwarming message he received from Ronnie O’Sullivan Snr during his cancer treatment. The 47-year-old has clashed with ‘The Rocket’ throughout his career but has a much different relationship with his rival’s dad. Carter spent his early years practising with the future seven-time world champion in Essex. The pair’s dynamic has shifted over time as they continue to make an impact in the sport. Their feud has seen several flashpoints over the years, including the notable shoulder barge during the 2018 World Snooker Championship and a fiery matchup in the 2024 Masters final. Carter has twice reached the world final, losing to O’Sullivan on both occasions in 2008 and 2012. ‘The Captain’ has been forced to take breaks from the sport during his storied career. In 2013, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and was initially given the all-clear; the following year, it was announced that Carter had lung cancer before completing treatment in August 2014. During his illness, the snooker star received unexpected calls from O’Sullivan Snr. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page “I get on so well with [Ronnie O’Sullivan’s] dad, spent a lot of time with his dad in Sheffield this year, had a lot of coffees with him,” Carter said on the Talking Snooker podcast. “His dad, when I was going through my cancer treatment, this number kept ringing me, so obviously I thought I’d better answer this, might be a consultant. “He went: ‘Ali, it’s Ronnie O’Sullivan Snr. This is unconditional, anything you want, anything I can do for you, consider it done, you’re an Essex boy, and I just want you to know, anything I can do.’” “I’d never met the guy! I went: ‘Thanks, Ron, that’s really nice of you to say’. So there you go.” Following his treatment for lung cancer, Carter returned to claim the General Cup in October 2014. Earlier this month, the veteran star secured his seventh ranking title at the English Open, overcoming Mark Williams in the final. However, Carter has continued to discuss his multiple health battles, having also been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2003. The 47-year-old admitted he cannot recall key moments from his career, including both world finals, because he has blocked out memories from certain points in his life. "As a youngster I had Crohn’s really bad," he told TNT Sports. "Three bowel resections and then obviously I got ill with my cancer and that spread into my lung and there was a moment I thought I might not be around, which it’s affected me in a big way. "It’s affected my memory. I can’t even remember getting to big finals in the World Championships, the maximum that I made. And that is pure trauma. “My brain has shut off that part of my life because it was so traumatic. I’ve got a good memory, it’s just very short.”