Mark Allen said he spent 10 weeks in a mental health clinic before discharging himself to compete at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast.
The 40-year-old Northern Irish player said he was “not OK” but was continuing his recovery. He told TNT Sports that his aim was to show his “fighting qualities” away from the snooker table as well as in competition.
A difficult return to competition
Allen lost 4-2 to his friend and compatriot Jordan Brown on Tuesday. It was his first match since his world championship semi-final defeat by Wu Yize in April.
During that semi-final, Allen missed a black off its spot that would have given him the win. He subsequently stayed away from the tour for unspecified personal reasons. Those reasons were understood not to be connected to repercussions from the way he lost at the Crucible.
After the defeat by Brown, Allen said he felt “really overwhelmed” and suggested that his career might be over. He also said the Belfast match could be the last time his daughter saw him play.
Support during recovery
Allen said he chose to leave the clinic so he could try to play in Belfast. He cited his family, particularly his daughter, and the fans who had supported him during 21 years on tour.
He also credited World Snooker, specifically Simon Brownell and Neil Tomkins, with supporting him. Allen said Brownell visited him in the clinic, while his daughter, therapists, staff and fellow patients helped him through what he described as “really dark days.”
Allen said he could now see a future, while emphasizing that recovery would not happen overnight. He described himself as “a work in progress” and said he would continue his treatments before deciding what came next.
Allen’s career record
Allen has won UK and Masters titles and has 12 ranking tournament victories. He has reached the world championship semi-finals three times and was ranked world No 1 for four months in 2024.
His comments describe a personal account of mental-health difficulties and recovery rather than a statement about what will happen next in his career. Allen has not said whether he will continue competing after the Northern Ireland Open.
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