TROLL OF THE DICE
Allen knows all too well that you have to take rough with smooth on social media as he braces for huge test against Higgins
TOP Northern Irish potter Mark Allen has slammed online trolls ahead of a crack at becoming a multiple Masters champion.
The 2018 champion took a social media hiatus following vulgar abuse from disgruntled gamblers.
Messages included wishing him and his family died and hoping his daughter “becomes a prostitute”.
“I took some time off because I thought I was spending too much time on social media,” admitted Allen, who kicks off his title bid against double Masters champion John Higgins on Wednesday night.
“I was getting too involved in the darker side of social media and I just thought getting off it for a while would be good for me.
“There are always people getting on top of you and, even though I ’m strong mentally, it’s hard to read that about yourself all the time. It’s not nice and you notice it.
“I wouldn’ t be where I am today if I wasn’t strong mentally. I can handle the abuse and what people throw at me, but it’s not nice to read and get involved in.”
Allen is the latest in a long line of top players who have quit or taken a break from social media.
Runaway world No. 1 Judd Trump admitted he doesn’t take his phone to practice due to spending too much time scrolling social media.
Allen added: “I definitely won’t be as vocal on it now I’ ve gone back on.
“I was getting involved in heated debates and if you’re on social media you can’t help but see the negative side.
“I took a bit of a break and I think it’s done me a world of good.
“You find yourself spending way too much time on your phone and not spending your ti me with th e people that matter the most.
“You see it if you go into restaurants and coffee shops, where people are just glued to their phones and it’s a sorry state of affairs really.”
Allen locks horns with Higgins in one of the matches of the first round as he chases the £ 250,000 top prize. And the world No. 10 knows he will have to be at the top of his game to get over a difficult first hurdle.
He said: “John’s such a class act, he’s won everything there is to win.
“You know you have to be at your best in all departments to beat John because he’s such a good match player.”