Jack Lisowski is rediscovering his enjoyment on the snooker table and his fight for competition after tragically losing his dad earlier this year.
The 34-year-old was playing at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong in March when he heard of the sudden death of his father.
He withdrew from the tournament to return home, but returned to the table at the World Championship qualifiers in April, where he was beaten by Zak Surety.
Results have been difficult to come by since but Lisowski has looked good so far this week at the Northern Ireland Open, beating Mark Selby impressively 4-2 in the last 32 on Wednesday afternoon.
Ahead of the match, Jackpot told TNT Sports of his game: ‘I think it’s coming back.
‘I probably lost a little bit of fight but it’s coming back and I’m feeling stronger and starting to enjoy my snooker a little bit more.’
Having made breaks of 61, 103, 51 and 65 on his way to beating the four-time world champion, Lisowski spoke further of how the tragedy left him struggling to compete.
‘It’s up and down. It feels different now,’ he said. ‘I didn’t have a lot of fight in me the first few months, but now I’m just able to play and I don’t feel like crying when I’m playing.
‘I played like a month after my dad died, in the Worlds, and every frame I just felt so emotional. I wish I’d had longer off. But I kept going, obviously it doesn’t get easier, but you just get used to it.
‘I’m not thinking as much when I’m out there now and it was a great win today.’
In March Lisowski posted a heartbreaking tribute to his departed father, writing on social media: ‘Last week, my Dad passed away, whilst walking up the hill on a sunny day. He was one of my best friends and my idol.
‘The pain of losing him is hard to describe but I also feel so so lucky to have had him in my life for 33 years and spent so much time with him – especially the last few years. He showed me what unconditional love is and gave my sister, my mum and myself the best life imaginable.
‘I took the first 3 photos with him last month and was going to put them up in a photo dump with other stuff eventually, but I guess this post is just for him now.
‘Dad, there are no words I can use to do you justice.
‘You were a fuckin legend.. Until we meet again.. ❤️Rest in peace❤️.’
Lisowski is now working with coach Chris Henry, which he says is ‘going good’ but don’t expect him to curb his all-out-attacking instincts.
Asked if he was looking to add more steel to his game, he said: ‘Maybe. He’s given me things to work on. I just concentrate on potting, to be honest, I’m still not thinking about tactics.
‘If they go in I’ve got a chance. I’ve done it for this long. I can’t play granite snooker.’
There is unlikely to be anything resembling granite snooker when Lisowski takes on Thai star Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in the last 16 in Belfast on Thursday.