Jack Lisowksi is having a lovely old time, he’s ‘happy every day’ and while he’d like to go to the next level on the snooker table, life is good.
Jackpot landed in Riyadh on Saturday for a shot at the big-money Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters in the glitzy surroundings of the Green Halls.
He admitted to being a little weary after a late night in Dubai but is looking forward to another huge event and the chance to get his hands on his first big title.
The 33-year-old is still hunting down his first significant piece of silverware, but it seems that is bothering other people more than it is him.
‘Honestly it’s disgusting how happy I am. I’m so happy,’ Lisowski told Metro. ‘I feel really lucky and grateful. I realise a lot of people have way tougher lives than me. Snooker’s given me a great life.
‘I’d rather be happy than win loads of matches, but you do need a balance, it’s also important for me to win. I want to win, definitely, it gets me down that I’m not, but it’s still fun being on the journey, thinking, when is it going to happen?
‘I’m just going with the flow, but when you’re happy you give yourself a chance. I’ll find some form, something will click and everyone can ask me something else, like what’s the weather like in Dubai?’
Lisowski may not have an overflowing trophy cabinet, but he is enjoying a career successful enough to see him spend a lot of time in Dubai, where he and is pal Judd Trump are planning to move to in the near future.
‘They’ve got a little academy there which is really nice, so I was playing every day,’ he said of his most recent visit. ‘Whenever I finish here [Saudi] I’ll go back there.
‘Me and Judd are going to move there, that’s the plan, I’m just looking for somewhere now. It’s like the dream now to be out there, it’s my favourite place, so now to be able to play snooker there too is amazing.
‘It’s safe, the people are so nice, it’s clean, the food’s amazing, it’s beautiful, the weather, beautiful buildings. It’s just a really nice atmosphere. Everyone’s happy. No crime. It makes you realise in England it might not be quite as good as you think it is.
‘I really like the Middle East. You read and see what you want in the news, but come out here and I love it. A very good way of life.’
Lisowski’s relaxed persona is natural, but also down to overcoming cancer after being diagnosed as a teenager, which helps shape his outlook.
‘It probably gave me a good perspective,’ he said. ‘Everyone has their ups and downs, it’s life. Everyone’s just had a crisis, about to go into one or in a crisis right now. I don’t know where I am, but I feel good.
‘My family have all got their health, I’ve got great friends, I’m happy every day. It’s life, so I’m sure something will happen that will throw me but you get on with it and overcome whatever obstacle comes your way.
‘That’s quite philosophical of me, but I’m tired, I’m probably chatting s**t.’
As for snooker, Lisowski faces Andrew Pagett in his opener on Sunday evening and despite feeling great in practice, he’s not entirely sure what to expect from himself.
Asked if his game’s in good shape, he said: ‘Not really. Up and down. But you just stick with it and I’ll find something, something will click and I’ll be buzzing again. I am just enjoying my snooker to be honest, it’s not always good but there’s a lot worse jobs out there.
‘Last year was up and down and it was down for a big portion of it, but I turned it round for Sheffield at the qualifiers, then beat Ding [Junhui] there, which was a good result. It left me with a good taste in my mouth.
‘I’m enjoying it again. last year was a good learning curve, things can go wrong but I can learn lessons and I can get more consistent.’
On his chances of glory in Saudi, he said: ‘You never know. It would be nice to break my duck with a big one. You’ve just got to do your best and see what happens.’
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