Mark Allen’s victory at the 2018 Scottish Open, where he defeated Shaun Murphy 9-7 in the final, was preceded by an unexpected revelation that he had consumed three ciders during the semi-finals. Prior to this, he had been drinking into the early hours following his loss in the UK Championship final. It wasn’t until the semi-finals that he decided to take the tournament seriously and resorted to using alcohol as a means of refocusing his efforts.
However, Allen later advised against this, cautioning, “Any kids out there – don’t do that!” Following this unorthodox approach, Allen expressed his desire to rectify his behavior as he prepared for The Crucible. His aspirations to win a world title and the drive to pursue this dream were highlighted in an interview.
Being a part of the World Championship and having the opportunity to compete for the championship title has held deep significance for him, with Allen stating, “You dream as a young kid starting out to be world champion, having that final black to win a world title. That dream is still there and I believe I have got a good chance.” Overall, Mark Allen’s journey to success, along with his acknowledgement of his own shortcomings, has added an intriguing dimension to this year’s World Championship, with interviews and insights from various snooker personalities contributing to the event’s allure.
