‘I’m in a bad place’: Mark Allen says career could be over after Northern Ireland Open exit

Northern Ireland snooker star Mark Allen announced on Wednesday that he is likely ending his professional career after suffering a first-round defeat at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast. The 40-year-old lost 4-2 to fellow Antrim native Jordan Brown in a match that served as his return to competition since April. Allen had previously exited the World Championship semi-finals against China’s Wu Yize earlier this year. Following the loss, Allen stated in an interview with TNT Sports that he does not see a future involving snooker. He described himself as being in a bad place and admitted that he is currently focused on survival rather than performance. Allen explained that his absence from the tour stemmed from personal issues unrelated to his previous competitive defeats. He revealed that he spent ten weeks in a mental health clinic prior to attempting to play in Belfast. In a social media statement, Allen noted that he discharged from the facility specifically to compete in the final stages of his potential career. He cited obligations to his family, particularly his daughter, and to the fans who supported him during his 21 years on the professional circuit. Allen acknowledged that he did not see a future in anything during his darkest moments but claimed to see a path forward now that was previously invisible. He emphasized that recovery is a gradual process and that he intends to apply his competitive drive to managing his health outside the sport. The emotional interview took place at the Waterfront venue, a location Allen identified as the starting point of his professional journey in 2005. He selected Brown as his opponent for this final appearance, describing the arrangement as a preferable way to conclude his active participation. Allen credited Brown with handling the unusual circumstances with grace and skill, noting that his friend was aware of his struggles. Brown responded by expressing his desire to see Allen healthy and playing the game he loves, stating that the entire community stands behind him. Allen’s professional record includes twelve ranking tournament victories, including titles at the UK Championship and the Masters. He has reached the World Championship semi-finals on three occasions. Both the World Snooker Tour and the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association have offered support to Allen. Allen specifically thanked Simon Brownell and Neil Tomkins from the World Snooker organization for maintaining regular contact, noting that Brownell visited him personally during his stay in the clinic. Allen concluded his statement by thanking supporters for their messages across various platforms, though he admitted feeling overwhelmed by the volume of communication. He plans to continue his medical treatments and will assess his future direction once that process progresses.