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Kyren Wilson shares private Mark Allen messages after winning £100k snooker title

Kyren Wilson has been exchanging messages with Mark Allen behind the scenes.

Kyren Wilson has been sending supportive messages to Mark Allen (Image: Getty)

Kyren Wilson has revealed that he shared supportive messages with Mark Allen before winning the Northern Ireland Open over the weekend. The former world champion secured a comprehensive 9-2 victory over Jak Jones in Sunday's final to win the Alex Higgins Trophy and claim the £100,000 top prize. The result marked Wilson's second triumph in Belfast and saw him pick up his 11th ranking title overall.

Afterwards, the 34-year-old revealed that he had been speaking with Allen, who made headlines at the start of the tournament when he confirmed that he was thinking about quitting snooker.

Allen has been going through a tough time in his personal life and admitted that he was in a "really bad place" during a heartbreaking live interview on TNT Sports.

His comments prompted an outpouring of support from across the snooker community, with Wilson reaching out to his rival ahead of Sunday's final.

Mark Allen has been struggling with his mental health in recent months (Image: Getty)

Speaking after his victory over Jones, he said: "I’ve spoken to Mark. I put an arm around him after the World Championship semi-final because I was working for the BBC.

"Just gave him a cuddle and tried to give my opinion or a little bit of advice. I was hoping it might help, I don’t know if it did.

"I actually text him this morning [Sunday]. I wrote to him on Instagram in his direct messages because he put a story on about what he’d been doing with his mental health, his routines and stuff.

‘I just messaged him saying I’ve got no doubt you’ll be back, mate. Wish you all the best and I know I’m going to see you soon.

"He messaged me back, which was nice of him, just saying give the local crowd some good value today, all the best in the final, go and win it.

"It’s just nice for him to know, hopefully, that as players and as I’m about to play a final, it’s just nice for him to understand that you’re still thinking of him."

Allen has since issued a positive update on social media, looking ahead to potentially competing at the UK Championship in November.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: "Completely overwhelmed by all the messages I have received since my statement.

"As I continue my treatment and my recovery now know that I simply have to raise more awareness around mental health in the future.

"Best part of six weeks before the UK Championship starts and all being well I’ll be in a better place by then but for now it’s just one day at a time. Thanks again for all your support. It’s meant so, so much to myself and my family."

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