Jack Lisowski finally shed the label of 'best player without a ranking title' by winning the 2025 Northern Ireland Open, a victory that brought immense relief and changed his perspective on the sport. The 35-year-old defeated world number one Judd Trump 9-8 in a dramatic final at the Waterfront Hall, just months after the sudden death of his father.
Weight lifted after long-awaited win
Lisowski had lost six previous finals and carried the burden of being snooker's most talented player without silverware. 'It feels like a weight's been lifted off my shoulders, for sure,' he told Metro. 'I was thinking about it most days. It was a big, big hurdle in my life.' The victory came after a grueling path that included wins over Mark Selby, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Kyren Wilson, and Zhou Yuelong. 'It was so perfect the way everything happened,' he said. 'The way I had to really sweat for it, and, obviously to beat Judd made it more special.'
Misconceptions about natural talent
Despite his free-flowing style, Lisowski insists he is not a natural talent. 'Everyone says I'm natural ... see me play after a month off, you'll soon change your mind,' he said. 'I need to practise really hard.' He acknowledged that his game fluctuates wildly: 'The difference between my good game and my bad game is a lot bigger than most pros.' Lisowski also addressed criticism from Stephen Hendry, who said he doesn't compete hard enough. 'I think whatever he says about me can seem a bit harsh, but I know he wants the best for me,' Lisowski responded. 'He probably means when I'm bad, I need to stop my level going as low as it does. Which I think he's probably spot on with.'
Practice habits and season performance
Lisowski pushed back against claims that he doesn't practice enough. 'I've had it quite a lot over the years ... People say I need to practise more. I think I'm quite a hard practiser,' he said. He noted that at 35, he can only manage about three hours of intense practice daily, compared to eight hours in his youth. His season after the Northern Ireland win was mixed: 'Apart from Belfast, was poor. Wales was a good one, but that was about it.' He lost two China qualifiers to rising Chinese players Chang Bingyu and Yao Pengcheng, who 'never missed a ball.'
Rise of Chinese snooker and attacking style
Lisowski praised reigning world champion Wu Yize and former champion Zhao Xintong, both Chinese players known for their attacking flair. 'Wu Yize, what a player ... Him and Xintong, incredible,' he said. 'I think now the game's changed, I think you've got to attack.' He believes their style makes snooker more exciting and hopes to follow their lead. 'Hopefully now that'll give me the belief ... When I find myself in a semi and I think I'm playing well, I'm going to have that in the back of my head now that I know I can do it.'
