SNOOKER star Mark Allen has withdrawn from yet another tournament due to personal reasons.
The Pistol, 40, had already pulled out of the International Championship qualifiers last week for the same reason.
Mark Allen has pulled out of the Shenzhen Open this month due to ‘personal reasons’ Credit: Alamy
His last appearance was a world championship semi-final defeat to Wu Yize in May Credit: Getty
He was due to face Thailand’s Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon on Saturday September 19 before being replaced by Welsh amateur Duane Jones.
And Allen has now withdrawn from the Shenzhen Open this month.
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The world No 13 would have played Belgian rival Ben Mertens on September 28.
But now Mertens will get a bye to the last 32 after Allen’s latest withdrawal.
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It means Allen has pulled out of eight tournaments this season.
He hasn’t played since a semi-final defeat at the World Snooker Championship to eventual winner Wu Yize in May.
Allen went on to withdraw from the Shanghai Masters, the Championship League, plus the China, Wuhan, British and English Opens.
And after also being absent from the International Championship qualifiers and Shenzhen, there will be some concern for the snooker star.
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The Pistol has now withdrawn from eight tournaments this season Credit: PA
He hasn’t spoken often about his snooker hiatus but did release a statement after pulling out of China and Wuhan last month.
Allen said at the time: “I am gutted to miss these two events in China and my apologies to the fans and promoters in Taiyuan and Wuhan.
“I love playing in China and appreciate the support we always get there, but there are personal reasons why I can’t make it this time.”
“I hope to be back playing in China later this season.”
Allen has won a total of 12 ranking titles during his career and became world no 1 in 2024.
His next opportunity to return to snooker will be at the Northern Ireland Open in October.
