Mark Allen will make his first appearance as world number one at next week's Shanghai Masters. The Northern Irishman reached the summit of the rankings for the first time at the conclusion of last season and is determined to stay there for as long as he can.
Mark, congratulations on claiming top spot in the world rankings. How much are you looking forward to heading to Shanghai as world number one and how determined are you to stay there?
“It is nice to hear myself being called world number one. It has been a long time coming and it has been a career goal of mine. I’m very happy to get there. It is up to me to keep working hard and try to stay there as long as possible. It would be nice to win my first event as world number one and for it to be the Shanghai Masters.
“It is going to be tough, the way the rankings work, but that is the nature of the beast. I know what I’m getting myself in for. I know I’m going to need to have a really good year, because Judd Trump had such a good season last year in the ranking events. I need to go and win tournaments. Ultimately if I win the World Championship at the end of the year that will be a massive help to staying there. It is nice to be on top. I’m going to be the target, I’m going to be the one everybody is chasing. Whether it is one week or ten years, I am the 12th person who is able to say they are world number one. That is a big feather in my cap."
What are your main memories of the best matches you have played in China so far?
“I’ve always enjoyed my matches with Ding in China. The atmosphere is always good and he brings a massive crowd. I’ve beat him a few times and he’s beat me a few times in China. Playing Ding in China is like playing Ronnie O’Sullivan in the UK. There is a different atmosphere, a bit more surrounding the game and more pressure. I love that. You want to play in the biggest arenas in the biggest matches and Ding is definitely one of those."
Some of the top 16 players are now approaching their late 40s. At what age do you think a snooker player hits their peak?
“If I’d been asked that question 15 or 20 years ago I’d have thought the peak for a player came around 30 and that they’d be coming to the end of their career at 40. Now I think players are getting smarter. They are getting fitter as well. I’d say peak is now late 30s and playing until late 40s. There is probably a ten year difference. I’m 38 now and I’ve just peaked and got to world number one. Hopefully I have a lot more to offer the game in the next ten years.
“The top players, like Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams and John Higgins, have separated themselves. They should be coming towards the end of their careers, but they’re not. It is great for Shanghai. These are the very best players in the world and the sort of events you want to be involved with. The fans are going to enjoy it because any match you turn up to could be a final of any other tournament. Only the best can win it and that is why Ronnie has won it so many times. We are all talented players but talent doesn’t mean everything. You need to work hard and find a way to win. That is what the top players do more often than not. That is why the players you see in Shanghai, year on year, are the best in the world."
How much hunger do you have to keep improving yourself?
“I love playing snooker. I know I’m very lucky to play snooker for a job. I still enjoy getting up in the morning, going to the club and practising for long hours. Most players get to this point of their career and maybe find it boring and don’t want to go to work on any given day. I honestly love the game of snooker. I have so much more to offer and feel I can improve so much. As long as I feel that and I feel I can compete whenever I turn up for a tournament, then I will continue to go to work. I love what I do and I’m very fortunate.”