‘I’m in a bad place’: Mark Allen says his snooker career may be over after defeat

Mark Allen, the 40-year-old former world No 1 snooker player, lost 4-2 to Jordan Brown in the first round of the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast. It was his first competitive match since a heartbreaking world championship semi-final defeat to eventual champion Wu Yize in April, where Allen missed a match-ball black at 16-15 in the deciding frame. A tearful Allen stated he is in a 'bad place' and does not 'see a future with snooker in it,' suggesting he may retire from the sport.