BEIJING - MARCH 31: (CHINA OUT) Peter Ebdon of England in action against Judd Trump of England during the 2010 World Snooker China Open at Beijing University Students Gymnasium on March 31, 2010 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Visual China Group via Getty Images)
Past world and UK Snooker champion Peter Ebdon has retired from skilled snooker due to injury.
The 49-year-old has opted to end his career rather than have spinal surgery after suffering from neck, back, shoulder, and arm pain.
Ebdon achieved the 2002 World Championship, beating Stephen Hendry in an 18-17 thriller, and also reached the 1996 and 2006 finals.
He won eight other rating tournaments including the 2006 UK Championship, during 29 years on the course.
Ebdon told World Championship sponsor Betfred: “I had an MRI scan about seven weeks ago which picked up significant wear and tear in my neck. There is a 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 10 years.”
Current world champion Judd Trump tweeted: “Happy retirement to @pdebdon what a fantastic career… I also learn a lot from playing him in my early career and he loved to take on some crazy shots at times which I have a lot of respect for lol.”
Peter Ebdon will be remembered as one of the powerful competitors in snooker history. But even at his most fierce among his colleagues.
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