Ali Carter threatens to retire

The 32-year-old former world number two was knocked out of the UK Championship by Mark Allen in the second round and last won a rankings tournament at the Shanghai Masters in 2010.

He said on Twitter: "I'm going to retire at the end of the season! And I can't wait!

"I'm dead serious, life is to short to do something you don't enjoy, 25 years is enough! Pastures new...."

Carter - who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2003 - is also a commercial pilot.

He reached the World Championship final in 2008 but lost 18-8 to Ronnie O Sullivan, who also threatened to quit the sport this week after losing to Judd Trump.

Current world number eight Carter returned to Twitter to admit that he is giving his future in the game some serious thought.

He said: "Thanks for all your messages. Maybe I should have kept my thoughts to myself!

"They were obviously in the heat of the moment but I also genuinely have some serious thinking to do about my future at the end of this season and what direction I want to head."