Mark Allen says he has been “completely overwhelmed” with support since he opened up about his battle with mental health and raised the possibility that his career could be over.

The 40-year-old lost 17-16 in a final-frame decider to Wu Yize in the World Championship semi-final in April.

His first-round match against Jordan Brown at the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast on Tuesday was his first since that defeat.

Allen told TNT Sports he was in a “bad place” after losing to Brown and admitted that he was contemplating retiring from competition.

“I felt like if I was going to play one last time, playing here at the Waterfront [Hall] where it all started [in] 2005, against one of my best mates, I thought that was a better way to sign out,” he said.

“It's sad to say because it's all I've loved to do since I was 12, but the last few months have been really difficult, and it sort of put snooker into perspective for me.…