Mark Allen has withdrawn from one other occasion on the World Snooker Tour as his more and more prolonged absence from aggressive motion continues.
The Northern Irishman has pulled out of subsequent week’s Worldwide Championship qualifying spherical for private causes, WST introduced on Thursday.
Allen was as a result of face Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon on Saturday, September 19, however he has been changed within the draw by Duane Jones.
The qualifying spherical takes place from September 17-19, with the principle Worldwide Championship following in Nanjing, China from October 31 to November 7.
It’s the newest in a rising checklist of occasions that Allen will miss throughout what has change into an unusually lengthy break from aggressive snooker for one of many sport’s main gamers.
The 40-year-old has now withdrawn from the China Open, Wuhan Open, British Open, English Open, and the Worldwide Championship, having already skipped the campaign-opening Championship League and the Shanghai Masters invitational.
Allen was as a result of defend his English Open title earlier this month however withdrew from the occasion for private causes.
The extended absence extends a interval away from aggressive motion that started after Allen’s dramatic World Championship semi-final defeat to Wu Yize on the Crucible.
Chasing a maiden Sheffield crown, Allen led late on however missed a straightforward match-ball black within the thirty second body as Wu fought again to power a decider.
The Chinese language participant finally received 17-16 earlier than happening to assert his maiden world title in Sheffield.
Allen subsequently didn’t enter the Shanghai Masters for the second successive season and has since missed each scheduled occasion on the 2026/27 calendar.
“I’m gutted to overlook these two occasions in China and my apologies to the followers and promoters in Taiyuan and Wuhan,” Allen stated on the time.
“I like enjoying in China and recognize the help we at all times get there, however there are private the reason why I can’t make it this time.”
“I hope to be again enjoying in China later this season.”
There was little indication of when the previous Masters champion intends to return, though he lately posted a cryptic replace on Instagram.
Allen shared an image of a hooded determine with Disturbed’s cowl of Simon & Garfunkel’s The Sound of Silence enjoying over the publish.
He didn’t present any clarification alongside the picture, and it was not clear whether or not the publish was straight associated to his absence from the snooker circuit.
Allen may doubtlessly return on the Shenzhen Open in the direction of the top of September, though there was no announcement concerning his participation within the occasion but.
His dwelling match, the Northern Eire Open, follows in October.
The prolonged spell away from aggressive motion is especially notable given Allen’s standing as one of many recreation’s main gamers.
The present world quantity 13 has received 12 rating titles throughout his profession and reached the high of the world rankings in 2024.
His most up-to-date rating title got here on the English Open in 2025, when he beat Zhou Yuelong in a dramatic ultimate that went the space.
For now, although, there stays no clear indication of when the Pistol will return to the desk.
Elsewhere, it was additionally introduced a couple of days in the past that Ronnie O’Sullivan has equally pulled out of this yr’s Worldwide Championship.
Featured photograph credit score: WST
