While Judd Trump basks in the glow of a truly remarkable achievement, his best friend in the snooker world licks his wounds after yet more disappointment.
On Sunday in Belfast, Trump became only the fifth player to win three successive ranking titles, but the fact that he won them in just a four-week period in different parts of the world makes it one of the great modern feats on the baize.
His run of victories in ranking event matches stands at 20. He has now won 26 ranking titles, fifth on the all-time list just two behind Steve Davis, and goes to the International Championship in China this weekend in seemingly unstoppable form.
Many felt it could be Jack Lisowski’s week, judging by how well he played to reach the semi-finals. He lost only five frames in five matches at the Waterfront Hall until succumbing to a heavy defeat to Chris Wakelin. For this most likeable of players, the wait for a maiden victory goes on.
Trump and Lisowski share many traits. They are two left-handers who possess enormous natural ability, are capable of audacious shot-making and play a brand of easy on the eye, attractive snooker.
So why has Trump been so successful while Lisowski is still yet to land a title? What can Jack learn from Judd?
Lisowski’s A-game is sensational. At his best, he can beat anyone and indeed make them look average. There’s a beauty to how he strikes the cue ball, an apparently effortless style, which of course has been heavily honed on the practice table.
His B-game is less successful. Against Wakelin, he kept trying to get in with difficult pots but it wasn’t working. He had no way of changing the game to his advantage. He is less minded to take a safety-first approach, reasoning that it doesn’t play to his strengths, but this can make him vulnerable
Trump was the same several years ago even after winning tournaments. He relied heavily on all-out attack but came to realise that he needed to mix it up. He became more prepared to play an all-round game when necessary and embrace the tactical side, without compromising his most potent powers.
This balance to Trump’s game has helped make all the difference, but he has also proved his mental toughness. This is an area where Lisowski has struggled. Early in his career he appeared completely ill at ease on the main table. He got over this but can still find it difficult to stay focused when things aren’t going to plan
Lisowski is also perhaps too self-deprecating. Asked by Eurosport’s Rachel Casey why he thought he had so much support, he replied, “People feel sorry for me because I’ve never won anything”.
This can be seen as natural humility or a lack of self-belief. The likes of Trump and Neil Robertson rarely talk themselves down. Arrogance in real life is an unattractive trait but sportspeople need to have a healthy strain of it.
It’s worth pointing out how well Lisowski has actually done. The ranking system is based on prize money, which favours players who secure the big first prizes, so to have become a mainstay of the top 16 without being a tournament winner is a genuine achievement.
It’s worth pointing out how well Lisowski has actually done. The ranking system is based on prize money, which favours players who secure the big first prizes, so to have become a mainstay of the top 16 without being a tournament winner is a genuine achievement.
Lisowski has appeared in six ranking finals but his last was in early 2021. However, he has won a lot of matches in recent years and last season pocketed £225,000 in prize money, allowing him a nice life. In sport, we define success and failure in narrow terms based on winning or losing but he is making a good living doing the thing he loves. Most of his critics cannot say the same.
