‘I’m just trying to survive at the minute’ – Allen suggests career might be over<\/p>\n
Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n
After losing 4-2 to Brown in Belfast<\/a>, TNT Sports presenter Rachel Casey asked Allen <\/a>how he was.<\/p>\n “Not good if I’m honest, really overwhelmed,” Allen said. “I’m in a bad place at the minute, so even just to go out there and try was tough.<\/p>\n “I think if I wasn’t playing Jordan, I wouldn’t have come back. I felt like if I was going to play one last time, playing here at the Waterfront, where it all started in 2005, against one of my best mates, I thought that was a better way to sign out.”<\/p>\n Asked by Casey if he is genuinely thinking of signing out, Allen said: “Yes. I just don’t see a future with snooker in it if I’m honest. It’s sad to say because it’s all I’ve loved to do since I was 12.<\/p>\n “The last few months have been really difficult and it’s sort of put snooker into perspective for me. I’ve been flooded with support, but the problems are within.<\/p>\n “At the minute, I’m just trying to survive.”<\/p>\n Allen’s last match before his meeting with Brown in Belfast was against Wu Yize in a World Championship semi-final at the Crucible that he lost 17-16.<\/p>\n He has since pulled out of a number of tournaments this season, citing personal reasons, before deciding to make a return this week in his home country.<\/p>\n In a later interview with the BBC, Allen said: “I just felt like I didn’t want my last match to be remembered for that semi-final in Sheffield. I thought [this] would be a more fitting end if I do call it a day.”<\/p>\n Speaking to TNT Sports after his victory, Brown spoke about what a difficult afternoon it had been for him.<\/p>\n “That was easily the hardest match I’ve ever had to deal with,” Brown said. “It just shows there some more important things to life than snooker. <\/p>\n “Even though Mark is going through it, I feel like I’m going through it with him. We’re all behind him, first and foremost. It’s great to see Mark back playing.<\/p>\n “I’m trying to get myself together here, but it’s hard. It’s hard to see him like that. You could just tell he was anxious about today.<\/p>\n “I don’t even know what to say, I’m lost for words. I’ve missed him, I love him, just a great guy through and through.<\/p>\n “But as hard as it was, I still had to concentrate on what I had to do today. In a selfish way, I had to block all the distractions out.<\/p>\n “I’m not going through the easiest of times myself. I’m trying to fight tour survival and trying to get my game together, and that’s what I had to focus on today as hard as it was.<\/p>\n “I never want to go through something like that again.”<\/p>\n Allen’s stellar career has seen him land a number of major titles, including the Masters in 2018 and UK Championship in 2022.<\/p>\n His last tournament success came at last season’s English Open in Brentwood, where he beat Zhou Yuelong 9-8 in the final.<\/p>\n How to reach the Samaritans<\/p>\n If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call 116 123 right now for free support.<\/p>\n