Former world number one Mark Allen revealed that he spent time in a mental health clinic before returning to snooker, stating he was in a "difficult state" after losing to friend Jordan Brown in the first round of the Northern Ireland Open on Tuesday. Allen confirmed in a post on X on Wednesday that everything he said in that interview was true.
Allen specified that he spent 10 weeks in the mental health clinic and discharged himself to prepare for his match against Brown. He highlighted that he plans to continue his treatment. He added that he owes it to his family, particularly his daughter, to allow her to see him play perhaps one last time, as well as to the fans who have supported him during his 21 years on tour.
Allen also said he owes a debt to World Snooker, particularly to chief executive Simon Brownell and Neil Tomkins, chief operating officer of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, who remained in regular contact. Simon, as he noted, visited him in the clinic itself.
Allen's 21-year professional career includes 12 ranked titles, including the 2022 UK Championship, and he was at the top of the world rankings in 2024. At the last tournament before this week's Northern Ireland Open, he missed the black ball from a position that would have secured victory in the World Championship semi-final against eventual champion Wu Yize.
On Tuesday, Allen appeared visibly emotional and admitted that he "probably" would not have played at all if he had not been drawn against his friend Brown. "I am not well, but that is fine in itself. Over the last few months, I have been much worse than you saw yesterday," Allen said. He highlighted that his daughter had kept him alive and that the therapists, staff, and all other patients had been outstanding, helping him through some truly dark days.
Allen noted that he knows this will not happen overnight and that work is in progress. He conveyed that his fighting spirit and determination at the table have always been visible and that he now needs to show those same fighting qualities off the table for some time. He praised Brown for playing the match with "grace and skill" and added that he is "proud to call him a friend".
He thanked everyone who sent him messages of support. "This is just the beginning of my new path," Allen concluded, adding that he is working to "turn things around".
