September 3rd 2024.
At 45 years old, Ali Carter is feeling confident and playing better than ever. He's kicking off his campaign at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters with a ranking title already under his belt this season, and he's determined to achieve even more success.
The Captain had a dream start to the season by winning the Championship League and adding to his impressive tally of six ranking titles. However, he did miss out on the Xi'an Grand Prix due to a loss in qualifying. Looking back, Carter believes it was a blessing in disguise as it gave him some much-needed rest and rejuvenation before heading to Riyadh for the chance to win a top prize of £500,000.
"I'm feeling fully refreshed and ready to go this week," Carter shared with Metro. "After the loss in qualifying, I wasn't feeling as motivated to go to Xi'an knowing I had the Saudi tournament coming up. So, I've taken some time off to relax and recharge my batteries. Now, I'm ready to tackle the rest of the season."
As one of only 15 players in snooker history to have won six or more ranking titles, Carter is in good company alongside world champions Ken Doherty and Stuart Bingham. However, he's not content with just six titles and is determined to add more to his name.
"It's nice to be ranked alongside some great players, but I'm not done yet," Carter said. "I believe I'm playing the best snooker of my career and I've had two tournament wins in the past two years with a few finals as well. I'm knocking on the door and I'm confident I have more in me to reach eight or even 10 titles."
Carter previously won the German Masters for a second time last year, adding to his impressive record. However, he doesn't dwell on his achievements and is always focused on what's next.
"You don't really look at what you've achieved, you're always looking at what you want to achieve," he explained. "It's like climbing a mountain, you're focused on putting one foot in front of the other. But sometimes, it's important to take a moment and appreciate the view along the way."
Carter's first opponent in Riyadh was initially supposed to be Yuan Sijun, but a mistake in the draw meant he will now face Elliot Slessor. However, Carter isn't too fazed by the change and is ready to take on anyone.
"Mistakes happen, and I'm not too bothered by the late switch," he said. "Of course, there are players I'd rather avoid, like Neil Robertson, Jack Lisowski, or Dave Gilbert in his current form. But I'm facing Elliot Slessor now, and there are no easy games at this level."
As the tournament in Riyadh has reached the last 32 stages, the crowds have been sparse. But Carter believes it's important to give the event a chance to grow in the region.
"We're trying to build something here, and that takes time," he said. "We're all here to promote the game and give a good account of ourselves. I'm sure the crowds will start to increase now that the top 16 players have arrived."
There have been talks of the World Championship possibly moving to Saudi Arabia after the contract with the Crucible ends in 2027. While the large sum of money on offer is tempting, Carter believes the atmosphere and packed crowds are crucial for top players to perform at their best.
"As players, we want to earn as much money as possible, and the World Championship in Saudi Arabia would be a massive event," he admitted. "But we also want to play in front of a lively crowd with a great atmosphere. That's what brings out the best in us. However, it takes time to build that here, and we're just in the first year of a ten-year partnership."
The issue of sportswashing in Saudi Arabia has been a topic of conversation, with some criticizing the decision to hold tournaments in the country. Carter shared his thoughts on the matter, acknowledging the problems in the world but choosing to focus on the sport.
"In my opinion, there are issues everywhere you look," he said. "We're here to play our sport, bring people together, and promote the game. What people do in their personal lives is their own business, and it's not our place to judge. We're here to play snooker, and that's what we'll continue to do."
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