The 2002 World Snooker Champion Peter Ebdon has announced his retirement from the sport due to a chronic neck injury.
The 49-year-old, nicknamed 'The Force', rose to the top of the game 18 years ago when he beat seven-time champion of the world Stephen Hendry 18-17 in a final-frame decider at the Crucible.
Londoner Ebdon appeared at the Crucible on 22 consecutive occasions from 1992 to 2013, also reaching the final in 1996 and 2006 where he lost to Hendry and Graeme Dott respectively.
Ebdon won eight other ranking events, including the UK Championship in 2006. He is well-known for his dogged style of play, and is also a character away from the baize.
Thank you so, so much, to everyone that has taken the time to message me. I am truly overwhelmed, by the love, support and best wishes, from my fellow professionals and public, alike. It has been an honour, to play a small part, in our beautiful sport, loved by millions. Adieu!
— Peter Ebdon (@pdebdon) May 1, 2020
He has in recent years turned to healing, having qualified as a healer himself, while he regularly speaks out about the advantages of veganism.
In announcing his retirement, Ebdon told world snooker sponsors Betfred that the injuries he now suffers from left him with no choice.
“I had an MRI scan about seven weeks ago which picked up significant wear and tear in my neck. There is serious deterioration in some of the vertebrae and I have been in pain since Christmas. Two of the vertebrae need to be replaced, which is not an operation I want to have because if it went wrong I could be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life.
“It’s far too risky. The professor explained to me that it wouldn’t be a cure. It could work, but it could make things worse and I would probably need to have it again in ten years.
“The one thing I can’t do if I don’t have the operation is play snooker again, because of the compression in my neck. So, as sad as it is for me, that’s the end. Having weighed everything up that is the decision I have come to.
“At the moment I can walk and talk and the pain has got better. I have received a lot of help from the healers at the College of Healing so a big thank you to them.”
Former world champion Peter Ebdon has retired from professional snooker.
🔗 https://t.co/J04RuHOXY0 pic.twitter.com/hfrSdVU7rj— World Snooker Tour (@WeAreWST) April 30, 2020
“I’d like to continue with my commentary for the BBC if possible. I have trained to become a professional healer myself, and I’ve also got a professional pedigree consultancy business.
"It was difficult to put time into those things while I was playing snooker so I can do that now. I’ll have the opportunity to put something back through healing, as well as spending more time with my (wife) Nora.”
WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson paid tribute to Ebdon when the news came through.
“I grew up with Peter on the amateur circuit. We were rivals but also became friends. You’ll never find a player who put more effort and discipline into the sport or had as much mental strength. A lot of players could learn from the characteristics that he showed.
“He has also been a great ambassador for snooker over many years and I’m sure that will continue. He has a lot of interests away from snooker and is the type of person to put 100% into whatever he tries. I hope his health improves now that he has stopped playing and perhaps one day we’ll see him on the World Seniors tour.”
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