Mark Allen says he is working to "turn things around" and has revealed he spent time in a mental health clinic before returning to snooker. The former world number one lost to his friend Jordan Brown in the first round of the Northern Ireland Open on Tuesday, after five months away from the sport.
Speaking after the match, an emotional Allen said he was in a "bad place at the minute" and had considered retirement. In a statement on X on Wednesday, the Northern Ireland player said that everything he had said in the interview was true, but that he was doing his best to turn things around. He said he spent 10 weeks in a mental health clinic and discharged himself so he could prepare for the match against Brown, and that he plans to continue his treatment.
Allen said he felt he owed it to his family, especially his daughter, to see him play, possibly for the last time, as well as to the fans who have supported him through his 21 years on tour. He also praised World Snooker for its support, naming CEO Simon Brownell and COO Neil Tomkins, and said Brownell had visited him at the clinic.
The 40-year-old has won 12 ranking titles, including the 2022 UK Championship, and spent time at the top of the world rankings in 2024. He acknowledged that his recovery will take time. "I'm a work in progress," he said, adding that he needs to show the same fighting qualities off the table that he has always shown on it. He also thanked Brown for handling the match with "grace and skill" and said the clinic stay was "only the beginning of my new journey."
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing