He’s long been considered one of the great complexities in snooker, and now the supremely talented Jack Lisowski has admitted to having a ‘garbage’ season as he bids for a place at this month’s World Championship in Sheffield. The 32-year-old has long been touted as a future star, least of all by the iconic Ronnie O’Sullivan, but promise is yet to yield results.
He’s reached six ranking finals but proceeded to lose every one of them, and now he’s been forced to take the long route to the Crucible. That’s despite reaching the semi-finals this season at both the British Open and Northern Ireland Open.
It’s the first time in seven years that the world No.17 has not qualified automatically, but despite his poor campaign, he insists that he’s currently appreciating his time in the professional game more than ever. “My results this season have been garbage,” admitted Lisowski. “But I’m enjoying myself a lot more. That’s the goal isn’t it? Enjoy yourself and be happy.”
Later today (Tuesday), Liwoski continues his bid to qualify by taking on former world finalist Matthew Stevens in a best-of-19 frame clash. And should he make it to his sport’s most famous tournament, he’s confident of causing an upset.
“It’s always tough for the seeds, whoever they play,” he continued. “All of the qualifiers are pretty good. I’m one game away so fingers crossed. It is two good games under your belt if you can get there. It is going to be a tough game for me next, but I just have to knuckle down and dig in.”
It was back in February 2021 when O’Sullivan, at his imperious best, hammered Lisowski 6-1 at the Players Championship. But immediately afterwards, the ‘Rocket’ likened his own mercurial play to that of his opponent, and even offered to help coach him when he eventually retires.
“I was watching him thinking he must be on about three seconds a shot, he’s literally so fast,” said the seven-time world champion. “He’s an unbelievable talent, he really, really is. He’s a bit like me, he can either be really good or a bit loose and a bit open sometimes. When he’s on he’s very dangerous.”
He’s not the only top player to have lauded Lisowski’s talent. Only last month, Mark Selby told the World Snooker Tour that ‘Jack-pot’ could still make it to the very top, as long as he showed the right levels of desire. “He is so good and it is only a matter of time before he wins a tournament, but you watch him and it is as if he doesn’t want it enough at times,” he said.
“He is such a nice guy, it is as if he doesn’t have that firepower in his belly and he just enjoys being out there. For me he is a world champion in the making. Sometimes his standard is up there with Ronnie, it is unplayable.”
