Jack Lisowski: I don’t know if people feel sorry for me or they enjoy my snooker

Asked why they would feel sorry for him, he said: ‘Because I’ve never won a thing!

‘Everyone knows I’m waiting to win that first tournament, it’s all anyone ever talks about or asks me about. We’re still working on that one.’

In the case of this interview, his failure to win a tournament so far was not questioned, but clearly it is near the forefront of Lisowski’s mind as he brought it up despite being somewhat bored of the topic.

‘I’m not going to let it control my life but I want to be a winner,’ he said. ‘I’d say my career up to this point has been disappointing so I want to put that right.

‘I’ve still got time, my best years are definitely ahead of me. I’ll be a much better player in three years from where I am now and maybe even in 10. Players are maturing later and later these days. I’m just trying to put it right and trying to start that winning tally as soon as possible.’

There can appear to be a bit of a blasé attitude about Lisowski at times, due to his attacking style and laidback attitude in general, and he admits that he does struggle to apply himself properly at times. But not at the Crucible.

‘At times this season I’ve definitely not cared enough,’ he said. ‘I can be quite…I guess “naughty” is the word, and sometimes I find it hard to apply myself all the time consistently, especially in the best of sevens.

‘Certain tournaments this season I’ve struggled to apply myself, but you can’t say that here at the World Championships.

‘When I don’t feel scared to lose, that’s when I go off the rails. Here, I definitely don’t want to get embarrassed, it’s the thing you dream about as a kid. It is scary because if you lose here, I know it’s just a horrible feeling. I’ve been through it a lot.

‘This tournament can define your season. If you’re doing well it’s extra gutting to lose here, but if you’re doing badly it can turn your season around, or even your career.’

The 31-year-old, who has reached six ranking finals so far, thinks he is better placed now than ever to go deep in Sheffield, thanks partly to his run last year.

‘I definitely learned from what happened,’ he said. ‘My first good Crucible experience, I know a lot more now about what it entails. It’s exciting. I need to get off to a good start, but pace myself for hopefully a long run.

‘It’s my belief. I stuck with Robertson for three days. He was the best player last year by far. Then against Higgins I was sticking in there with him. It made me realise I can concentrate here and it is doable. I can be a bit naïve but when I need it I definitely can play safety and over extended periods I can show real patience.

‘Last year here I wasn’t playing boring, it was just a bit more balanced. That’s what I need to find, a bit more balance, composure and when I get in I need to always score. That’s a winning formula.’

Lisowski’s first hurdle in Sheffield this year is dangerous Noppon Saengkham, a man Jack has watched close up and knows how much of a threat he is.

However, a clash with the famously affable Thai star is something Jackpot is looking forward to as it will be played in the right spirit.

‘I’ve played him in practice and he’s really, really good, that was a few years ago, but he is a machine, I’ve got a tough one there.

‘He’s a lovely, humble guy, there isn’t going to be any gamesmanship involved. We’ll respect each other and they way we play, our styles should compliment each other, we both go for our shots. I don’t think we’ll get any bogged down frames.

‘I’m pleased with the draw, not because he’s a bad player, but because he’s a lovely guy, respectful and I think we’ll have a good game.’

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