Ali Carter will face Ronnie O'Sullivan in the first round of the World Championship at the Crucible on Tuesday, having battled through qualifying despite suffering from an "excruciating" neck injury.
The 45-year-old secured his 21st appearance at the iconic Sheffield theatre after defeating Ian Burns and He Guoqiang in qualifying matches.
Carter's journey to the Crucible was nearly derailed by severe neck pain that almost forced him to withdraw during his match against Burns.
"Honestly, as you all know, I have been through a lot in my life, this pain was the most excruciating pain I have ever felt," Carter revealed.
Ali Carter will face Ronnie O'Sullivan in the first round of the World Championship at the Crucible on Tuesday, having battled through qualifying despite suffering from an "excruciating" neck injury
PA
The veteran player, who won the Championship League this season, now has a few days to recover before his blockbuster clash with his old rival O'Sullivan.
Carter's qualification match against Burns proved particularly challenging as he struggled with the neck injury.
"If I had gone 6-3 behind, I was seriously going to withdraw, but I managed to keep myself in it 5-4, then I went on and played some decent stuff in the night-time, but I was in agony," he said.
The injury appeared suddenly and severely limited his movement.
"I really couldn't tell you how it happened. It just came on to the extent where I literally had a coffee on Tuesday morning. I literally couldn't move my neck at all," Carter explained.
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PADespite the pain, he managed to defeat Burns 10-8 before going on to beat He Guoqiang 10-5 on Wednesday.
Carter noted that the injury actually helped his performance in one unexpected way.
"At the moment, I can just about roll my neck round," he added.
"But that stopped me shaking my head in my match, so it was a bit more of a professional attitude from me there."
"It impacts my sleep. Terrible. I have hardly slept for three days. Honestly. It was like someone giving you a Chinese burn but on your neck. I lay that way. I lay this way.
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The pain was so intense that even travelling to the venue was an ordeal.
"My mate drove me here and every time we went over a bump, I was going 'Aaargh!'" Carter revealed.
With several days before his match against O'Sullivan, Carter plans to seek treatment.
"I will go and see someone when I get back [home]," he said. "I have Thursday and Friday to myself. I will get someone on the phone, don't worry."
The recovery time could prove crucial before Tuesday's high-profile encounter with the Rocket.
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Despite his physical struggles, Carter appears to have adopted a relaxed mindset heading into the tournament.
"Listen, I had already written this World Championship off to be honest with you," he admitted. "It is amazing, when you take the pressure off yourself what can happen."
Carter contrasted this approach with his previous campaign.
"Last year I put all the pressure on myself and I played like a muppet. We will just see what happens," he said.
Ali Carter will be hoping to beat Ronnie O'Sullivan when they lock horns on Tuesday
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The two-time World Championship finalist referenced personal issues affecting his expectations.
"It's just stuff in my private life going on, which I can't elaborate too much on," Carter explained.
"If all of a sudden, if you have a little bit of a run in Sheffield, then it's all well that ends well, isn't it?"
When asked specifically about facing O'Sullivan, Carter was succinct: "No comment really."
