A dejected Mark Allen "doesn't want to qualify" for big snooker event following defeat at World Grand Prix

Eleven-time ranking event winner Allen was defeated 4-2 by Jimmy Robertson at the Kai Tak Sports Park on Wednesday, having earlier led the contest 2-0, meaning he was eliminated from the £700,000 competition.

A disappointed Allen took to social media soon after the loss, posting on his account on X: "If I could find a safety game, a few long pots and cut out the silly easy losses I’d maybe win a game or two. Confidence is on the floor. Roll on next season. Worlds next for me."

The World Grand Prix - which is being held outside of the UK for the first time, this year - is the first of three Players Series events this season. All these tournaments have limited fields, with qualification determined via the World Snooker Tour one-year ranking list.

On those particular standings, Allen is currently 14th (at the time of writing) which means he on course to be invited to the 16-player Players Championship at the Telford International Centre between March 17-23.

In response to his original post, Allen was asked whether he would play in the Players Championship if he did make the cut, to which he replied with "I honestly hope I don’t qualify".

Allen is the reigning Players Championship title holder having defeated Zhang Anda 10-8 in 2024 final at the same venue in Telford. This year's edition has seen a boost in prize money, with the champion set to pocket £150,000.

Only the top 16 players from the one-year list will be invited to the ITV Sport broadcast event. There are many permutations still possible - with big money on offer at the ongoing World Grand Prix which can alter the rankings - which means Allen's qualification for the Players is not certain, although the odds are currently in his favour.

It has been an up-and-down season for Northern Irishman Allen, who started the campaign as the world number one.

After a frustrating start to the term, he found some real consistency, making at least the semi-finals from six of his next nine events on the professional tour. That run included a title victory and £250,000 payday at the lucrative Riyadh Season Championship in Saudi Arabia just before Christmas.

If Allen does not qualify or compete at the Players Championship it means he won't be able to play in the 12-player Tour Championship (March 31 to April 6), which would also mean his next outing would be at the Crucible for the World Championship - the one Triple Crown title he has not won.

For the draw and results from the 2025 World Grand Prix, please visit our tournament information centre here.