Ricky Walden had snooker fans worried as he was rushed to hospital after a German Masters clash – but the 42-year-old is targeting a speedy return.
After battling through the pain barrier to defeat Dylan Emery in the second round of the event in the German capital, Walden was rushed to hospital in Berlin following an assessment by medics at the venue – where he was diagnosed with pancreatitis. After staying overnight in a German hospital the Stamina Man was forced to withdraw from his third round match with Barry Hawkins, who would go on to lose to world champ Kyren Wilson in the final.
Walden was told that he requires surgery when he returned to the UK, and his team hope to have him back on the mend in time to take on either Latvia’s Artemijs Zizins or Pakistan’s Farakh Ajaib at a Welsh Open qualifier in Barnsley on February 6. That would represent a remarkable turnaround for the 2014 Master’s quarter-finalist, who was Ronnie O’Sullivan’s opponent as the Rocket secured a stunning 6-0 whitewash in one of his best performances ever at Alexandra Palace.
What happened to Ricky Walden?
According to his agent, Lee Gorton, Walden had been feeling unwell for a couple of days in the lead up to the German Masters, before the pain after his second round win over Dylan Emery became so severe that he needed medical support. He was taken to hospital where doctors told him to fly back to England to undergo surgery, with his gall bladder needing to be removed. Gorton told The Sun: “He needs his gallbladder removed and that is in plan at home. This is a flare-up with the same condition. He may have a gallstone in the wrong place or whatever. He is going to be in hospital for a few days.”
Will Ricky Walden play at the Welsh Open?
Despite the health scare, Walden seems determined to make a quick comeback. He is due to play his Welsh Open qualifier in Barnsley on Thursday February 6 and his team have high hopes. Manager Lee Gorton continued: “He’s still hoping to play. If he comes back and is in good shape, then he will go to Welsh Open qualifying. Fingers crossed.”
How is Ricky Walden after his illness?
Aside from the comments from his manager, we have yet to hear from Walden directly since the health scare. So the first fans might hear from him will be when the Welsh Open qualifiers get underway from February 4.