Mark Allen has opened up about his ongoing struggle with mental health, expressing uncertainty about the future of his snooker career while remaining hopeful for a return. The 40-year-old Northern Irish player revealed that he had spent 10 weeks in a mental health clinic before discharging himself to compete in last Tuesday’s Northern Ireland Open in Belfast, where he was defeated in the first round by Jordan Brown.

This match marked Allen’s first competitive appearance since his narrow 17-16 loss to Wu Yize in the World Championship semi-final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in April. Speaking to TNT Sports after his defeat, Allen described being in a “bad place” emotionally and said he felt compelled to play at the Waterfront Hall—the venue where his professional career began in 2005—one last time, facing a close friend in what he termed a meaningful farewell.

Allen’s post-match comments raised concerns about his well-being, as he acknowledged doubts about continuing in the sport. “I just don’t see a future with snooker in it,” he told the broadcaster, adding that he was focused on “just trying to survive.” Despite his candid remarks, Allen received an outpouring of support from the snooker community and fans worldwide.

Following the interview, Allen took to social media to provide further insight into his condition. In a statement posted on X, he admitted he was “not OK” but emphasized his desire to demonstrate resilience during his recovery. He expressed gratitude for the messages he received, noting their positive impact on his family and himself.

Looking ahead, Allen shared cautious optimism about participating in the upcoming UK Championship, scheduled to begin at the end of next month. He described his approach as “one day at a time” and expressed hope to be in a better place mentally by the time the tournament starts. He also highlighted the importance of raising awareness around mental health, reflecting on his experience over the past several weeks.

Allen’s revelation sheds light on the pressures faced by professional athletes dealing with mental health challenges and underscores the growing dialogue around wellbeing in competitive sports. As he continues his treatment, the snooker world will be watching closely to see if the two-time ranking event winner can return to the sport he has dominated for nearly two decades.