"Different animal" Mark Allen on how O'Sullivan helped him through divorce

06 January 2023 , 10:55

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Mark Allen has opened up about Ronnie O'Sullivan helping him get through his divorce (Image: Tai Chengzhe/Visual China Group via Getty Images)

Snooker star Mark Allen believes he is now a "different animal" after experiencing a difficult couple of years.

Allen split from his wife Kyla McGuigan in 2020 after seven years together and declared himself bankrupt the following year despite having banked around £3.5m in career winnings. The 36-year-old said he had "overspent in every aspect of life" and struggled with the legal costs of his divorce.

However, he credits a chat with seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan for helping him through his divorce and getting his life back on track. Allen lost five stone over the summer and he has since enjoyed an impressive season, winning the Northern Ireland Open and the UK Championship.

"I know I've had a few run ins with Ronnie over the years on the table, but away from the cameras and one on one he has always been really good to me," Allen told World Snooker Tour. "Any time I've asked for something, he's given me his time.

"When I left my marriage, he was one of the first players to message me and say to ring if I needed him. That speaks more to me about who he is as a person than how he behaves when the cameras are on.

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"I think sometimes he plays up, to get people talking. I wasn't surprised that the conversation happened. We sat in his room talking for 45 minutes to an hour discussing all kinds of different things.

Allen says he now feels like a "different animal" (PA)

"It wasn't all snooker related, there was lots about life in general. It was great for him to give me time, especially as he was pushing for the seventh world title.

"He was doing his documentary as well and none of those cameras were there, which meant we were able to properly chat. He is a good guy off the table."

He added: "I always felt like I was pretty strong mentally but I think everything that has happened over the last two years has made me even stronger. I am working with [sports psychologist] Paul Gaffney as well and I feel like I am a different animal."

Matthew Cooper