To be the best you have to beat the best, and snooker star Jack Lisowski knows that better than anyone.
The world No.22 is still on the quest for a first ranking title, having lost out in six finals to some of the best players ever to have taken to the table. Mark Selby, Neil Robertson (twice) and Judd Trump (three times) are the men who have denied Lisowski a dream moment, but now he’s determined for glory at the German Masters in Berlin – and admits he’d like to get one back over Ace in the Pack Trump, or defeat Ronnie O’Sullivan in a showcase event.
Lisowski’s run has seen him labelled as one of the best players never to win a major title by John Higgins, and he told SportsBoom.com that he’s determined to end the drought, saying: “I want to win one as soon as possible and I want to try and have as good a career as I can. It’s about winning titles at the end of the day, but I’m having fun on the journey trying to do it. It’s coming. It’s going to happen one day. If I beat a player of that calibre, it would be even more rewarding. I’d love to beat a Judd or a Ronnie (O’Sullivan) to win my first final.
“I think I’m playing a bit better the last few months and the game’s more enjoyable when it feels easier and you’re playing better. Every couple of games I’m playing some good stuff now and I’m enjoying it more, for sure. When I go for my shots, I go for everything. When I get on a roll it can be hard to play against, I guess. I definitely don’t feel like a lion or anything like that when I’m playing. It’s all I know. It’s how I play. I wouldn’t want to play any other way; I’ve tried it before. If I get beaten it’s pretty quick as well so it’s pretty painless. That’s how I am, I only know one way of playing.”
The Cheltenham born star admits that a ranking title is all that’s missing from his life at the moment, as he mixes training in the UK with trips to the Middle East. He explained: “I’ve found a nice balance in my life in recent years. I could have another 20 years of this, and I need to be ready for that. You change as you get older, and you learn new things. You go through little phases of wanting to do different things and I want to play with longevity and have as long and a hopefully successful career.
“When I go out to Dubai, I still practice hard. It’s amazing. I’ve never had it where you feel like you’re on holiday and practicing at the same time. I feel very lucky. They’ve got a really good academy out there and they let me play there and I’m very grateful for that.”