Jack Lisowski has been on an 18-month emotional roller-coaster, but thankfully he’s enjoyed some beautiful recent highs after last year’s most painful of lows.
The 35-year-old tragically lost his father in March last year, rushing home from the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong after hearing his dad had unexpectedly passed away.
Lisowski overcame the heartache and there were few dry eyes in the building just seven months later as he won the first ranking title of his career after 15 years as a professional.
He beat Judd Trump in the Northern Ireland Open final and thanked his close pal for being there for him during a tough time, in really lovely scenes in Belfast.
Jackpot’s eventful 2025 continued as he got engaged to girlfriend Bela in December and there was more monumental news in August this year as the couple announced they are expecting their first child in January.
The pair posted a unique gender reveal in Bela’s native Brazil, as a dog brought in blue balloons, revealing the news that they were expecting a boy.
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‘That was in Rio two months ago, so he’s coming in about three months now, in January,’ said Lisowski as he prepares for the defence of his Northern Ireland Open title, starting on Sunday.
‘So life’s going to change and we’re buying stuff for the nursery room. I’ve got everything going on, cots and all this stuff. I have no idea. I’m learning as I go. It’s a very exciting time.’
The gender reveal was poignant for Lisowski after the loss of his father, as he now sees himself stepping into the role of his dad.
‘I remember I really wanted it to be a boy. I didn’t really admit that to anyone, but deep down I just really wanted the first one to be a boy,’ he said.
‘When the dog came around with the blue balloons, I couldn’t believe it. I was so happy. I was just thinking about my dad, because now I’m going to have a little boy and I feel like maybe I get to relive what he did with me.
‘I can try and emulate that with a boy. It’s just very, very special, very emotional. I guess it’s the biggest thing in your life, isn’t it, having a kid? I’m going into a new chapter.’
Clearly not just an exciting and emotional time for Lisowski, but his family, who happened to all be in Brazil when the pregnancy was announced.
‘She [my mum] was actually in Brazil at the time when we found out that Bela was pregnant,’ he said. ‘So we told my mum and my sister and Bela’s mum and dad all at the same time because we were all out there.
‘It’s just been really cool, but it’s just the unknown, isn’t it? You just pray that everything goes well. Not that I’m religious, but you know what I mean? It’s just exciting times.’
Jackpot will hope to be in the Masters in January, with the German Masters soon after, but his schedule will be determined by family commitments rather than work.
‘I’m pretty sure I’m going to miss a tournament or two,’ he said. ‘It’s happening in Brazil as well, so I’m going to have to go out there for the birth, obviously. I can’t miss that. January, February, could just be a bit up in the air.
‘It’s one of the most important days of my life. I want to be there more than anything, if it means missing a few snooker tournaments, so be it.
‘Little Pele, isn’t it? Little Pele is getting born in January. My first child. I don’t know what the hell to expect. Everyone just says you’re going to be really tired. But then everyone says it’s the most special thing as well. So yeah, it’s a distraction, but it’s a good distraction.’
Lisowski starts his title defence in Belfast on Sunday afternoon against Huang Jiahao.