Ashley Carty swaps snooker pots for paint pots ahead of Championship League return

The 24-year-old moved into a new house in Thurcroft with his girlfriend Chloe last month.

With no snooker tournaments since the Gibraltar Open in March, Carty – who returns to competitive action tomorrow in the Matchroom.Live Championship League – has taken advantage of the unexpected spare time to decorate his new home.

“My girlfriend and I moved into a house in Thurcroft, about a month ago, so that’s kept us busy,” said the world No 83. “We have done quite a bit (of decorating).

“It’s kept us busy, without that it could have been quite boring.

“I have been going out on bike rides, almost every day, to try and keep myself fit.

“With the World Championship (qualifiers) coming up, they are longer matches so if I can get my fitness levels up that should help.

“The Crucible is due to start on July 31, so the qualifiers will be before that, but we have not been given a date.”

Carty’s last match was a 4-0 loss to Iran’s Soheil Vahedi in Gibraltar on March 13.

“I am really looking forward to getting back, it’s been a long time off, and we can get back to normal quite soon,” he said.

“Gibraltar seems a long time ago, it will feel strange coming back, but I can’t wait. I have been fortunate that I have still been able to get some practice in, at the club in Sheffield.”

Due to strict Covid-19 testing at the Championship League, players are screened 24 hours before their match – both throat and nasal swab tested for coronavirus – then if negative, quarantined at the on-site hotel in Milton Keynes until their match the next day.

Played behind closed doors, Carty plays three group games tomorrow – against Neil Robertson, Ken Doherty and Kurt Maflin – with the group winner returning next week for the semi-finals.

“It’s a tough group,” admitted Carty, sponsored by Celtic Surveys and Money Group, who turned professional in 2018.

“I think it’s the only group with two world champions in, in Neil Robertson and Ken Doherty.

“But will be a good test for me, and see how I get on. They are all good players on the Tour now, every match is tough. Hopefully the practice I have been putting in, pays off.”

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